Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of what Catholics call ‘Holy Week’, eight special days given over to the celebration of the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus.
It’s not just about the historical memory, but encountering Jesus in prayer as the living source of our own healing and power.
Commemorations usually focus on the past and seek to re-invent the imagination. Our celebration of the death of Jesus, however, means even more.
While accompanying Jesus in his sufferings, we recall the things that may bring about our own death and diminishment.
But we also realize that the Lord’s presence gives healing, reconciliation, strength for the future, harmony with all creation - in other words, “new life”. All this is the work of the Spirit of Jesus which awakens us, transforming us completely. We call this the Resurrection.
This is why Holy Week is a special season of grace for all of us who have kept faith through Lent.