Palm sunday

PALM/PASSION SUNDAY A 2014 There are some stories you can read over and over again, and never tire of them; every time you read them there is still a thrill, and enthrallment a new insight, and so it is with the Passion narrative – of which we have 4 similar accounts: each with its own insights.

I never grow weary of hearing them year by year, and each time I hear or read them, I gain a new insight into the meaning of the story and what it has to say to me.

The story begins a long time before the week of the Passion, for Matthew its origin is way back: Matt 1.1 “An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.”

The story of the Passion in one sense begins with the call of Abraham, because the call of Abraham is the beginning of God’s work of redeeming all humankind, and the whole creation from the darkness of death and sin into the new life of The Kingdom of God. We will encounter the richness of this story in the Vigil next Saturday night.

Through the story of the Passion Jesus is both an intriguing and enigmatic figure. His demeanour throughout the whole events strikes us as something remarkable. His bearing throughout suggests that in a way he is in control of what is happening, his love, his dignity shines through the whole story.

As we journey with Jesus we are in the presence of an overwhelming power of Love.

In Philippians Paul, echoing our Isaiah reading, speaks of Jesus’ obedience - his obedience to his vocation which embodies in his person the old Israel, - and how he has through his resurrection given birth to the new Israel – his Body which is the Church – The Church in which we enter into and embrace his ministry.

As we embrace our vocation to tell and live the story, we will learn more and more of what is “between” the lines – a story which is told by the saints and martyrs not only of history but of the present age as well.

AS we journey through this week what share in this world healing, world changing passion will you take?

It will be a path of sacrifice, it may be a path of suffering - but through it you will be embraced into the fullness of Jesus Resurrection life.