<TW>Weekend of 04 and 05 April 2009
- From: "Fr. Pat Umberger" <frpat@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Fr. Pat Umberger" <frpat@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 28 Mar 2009 14:53:06 -0500
.=: T H I S W E E K E N D :=.
from Father Pat Umberger
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L E N T P A G E S
Visit my "Lent" page for lots of good information .... a count-down 'til
Easter, Lenten Reconciliation (including a very portable "Credit Card to
Heaven" to take with you, an Examination of Conscience .... all you'll need
to go to Confession except the sins. Visit our on-line Stations of the
Cross too, illustrated by the kids of Saint Pat's School. Our Stations and
Reconciliation aids are available both in English and Spanish. Follow the
link from: www.frpat.com
O N - L I N E S T A T I O N S O F T H E C R O S S
Visit my on-line Stations of the Cross. I wrote the text for children and
adults alike. The Stations were illustrated by the children of Saint Pat's
School. They're available in English and Spanish as well. Visit the Stations
every day during Lent. I think you'll like them a great deal.
Here's the link: www.frpat.com/stations.htm
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.=: V O L U M E 2 0 0 9 , Number 04-05 :=.
.=: T H I S W E E K E N D ' S S C R I P T U R E S :=.
Passion (Palm) Sunday, Year B.
Weekend of 04 and 05 April 2009
Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy
branches that they had cut from the fields. Those preceding him as well as
those following kept crying out: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the
name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to
come! Hosanna in the highest!" How would we welcome a heroic dignitary to a
city? How do people welcome Pope John Paul II as he travels throughout the
world? What could cause the tides to turn so quickly ... when shouts of
"Hosanna" turn to shouts of "Crucify him! Crucify him?"
"The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to
speak to the weary a word that will rouse them." When do we use our
"well-trained tongue" to lift up and rouse the weary? When is it used to
criticize, condemn and judge?
"I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat
me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from
buffets and spitting." What is our natural reaction when we are threatened
or hurt by others? Why was Jesus so serene and non-violent in such
situations? Is that the best way to be? How can we follow the Lord's lead
in this regard? Do we want to?
"The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face
like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame." Could this be a
prayer for us when others threaten or harm us? Can we take a longer view
and know that in the end, we will not be put to shame? Could that help
convert even our persecutors?
" ... he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even
death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him ... " Are we
willing to be this obedient? What obedience on our part would lead God to
greatly exalt us?
"While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and
gave it to them, and said, "Take it; this is my body." Then he took a cup,
gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to
them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen,
I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day
when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." How did the Eucharist strengthen
Jesus' disciples to face what was to come? How can it be our strength? Can
anything truly harm us when we know that God is our strength and our
salvation?
Peter said to him, "Even though all should have their faith shaken, mine
will not be." Then Jesus said to him, "Amen, I say to you, this very night
before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times." When have we
denied the Lord? Can we do this by the language we use? The example we set?
When have we been of good will and determined to follow the Lord ... then
allowed ourselves to easily crumble and do wrong?
His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying, "The man I shall kiss
is the one; arrest him and lead him away securely." He came and immediately
went over to him and said, "Rabbi." And he kissed him. At this they laid
hands on him and arrested him. When have we betrayed another in this way
... been nice to their face, but betrayed them behind their back?
How are these Scriptures comforting? Challenging?
.=: S P I R I T U A L R E F L E C T I O N :=.
This weekend, as we celebrate Passion Sunday we begin the holiest week of
the year. It is a week that reveals all human emotions. Today we gather as
the crowds did to welcome Jesus into their city. He entered in jubilation
as they threw their cloaks on the ground before him and waved palm
branches. They shouted "Hosanna, Hosanna." This week will help us
understand more deeply how quickly human resolve can melt away and how
easily our fervent faith can give way as we betray the one we love.
As human persons we can experience triumph as well as betrayal. We can be
"oh-so-nice" to someone when we're with them, but stab them in the back as
soon as their back is turned. We can enjoy deep friendship and still suffer
great betrayal. We can resolve to do better, then easily crumble and sell
out so very cheaply. We can be people of great hope and yet face great
despair. We can experience birth and yet be devastated by death. We can be
tempted to lash out and retaliate. We can reach out our hand in
forgiveness. We can enjoy being surrounded by our friends. We can feel
betrayed by those same friends. In the end, all of us will experience
death.
So we can enter into this week with a profound sense of entering into the
last days before Jesus died for us, but also in a week that is filled with
our own human experience. As we meet those who behave badly, we can resolve
to be people who rise above such behavior. As we are inspired by the faith
of this week, we can be pleased with our own faith, our own heroism and
resolve to follow in the very footsteps of Jesus.
This week, we'll hear cries of "Hosanna" turn to cries of "Crucify him."
We'll hear words of "I'll never deny you," turn to "I don't know the man."
We'll see Jesus resist the temptation to use the power within him to hurt
those who mean him harm. We'll witness Jesus gift of the Eucharist and the
washing of feet, his sign of service and his call to us. We'll see him be
put to death on the cross. We'll reverence the cross, yet return to our
homes full of the faith of those who know the end of the story.
We'll gather in darkness on Holy Saturday night and see the spread of the
"Light of Christ." We'll hear the A******** word sung once more, and water
blessed and sprinkled, and Baptism, and Confirmation, and welcome. We know
the end of the story, that's for sure. Now we can enter this Holy Week
ready to walk in the very footsteps of Jesus and learn the lessons that will
be taught so simply as the words unfold and those holy steps beckon us
forward. Have a good week!
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<TW>This Weekend is free, and comes from:
Father Pat Umberger, a priest of the Diocese of La Crosse
in Wisconsin U.S.A.
Web Site: www.frpat.com
Evangelization (reaching out): www.cmonback.com
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