"No Greater Love" by Fr. Chris House
We are presented this Palm Sunday with the Passion according to Mark (14:1-15:47); this is believed to be the oldest of the Passion narratives and also the oldest part of Mark’s Gospel. The Passion begins with the ominous scene of the chief priests and scribes plotting to arrest Jesus and put Him to death. They feared His teachings, His authority, and His growing influence among the people. Meanwhile, Jesus, fully aware of what lay ahead, prepares for the Passover meal with His disciples, instituting the Eucharist for the Church as a perpetual memorial of His sacrifice.
As we accompany Jesus through His agony in the garden of Gethsemane, we witness His profound human struggle. He prays to the Father, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will (Mark 14:36).” We see that Jesus’s human nature is very real in his vulnerability and pain while submitting to the will of the Father with unwavering obedience and love. The betrayal by Judas, the denial by Peter, and the abandonment by the disciples underscore the harsh reality of human frailty and sin. Yet, amidst these betrayals, Jesus demonstrates forgiveness and mercy, exemplifying His message of love and reconciliation.
The subsequent trials before the Sanhedrin and Pilate highlight the injustice and cruelty that Jesus endured. He is mocked, scourged, and crowned with thorns, bearing the weight of our sins upon His shoulders. Despite the agony and humiliation, Jesus remains steadfast in His mission, never wavering in His commitment to fulfill the Father's plan of redemption. The pinnacle of Jesus' sacrifice unfolds as He is nailed to the cross at Golgotha. In His final moments, He cries out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Mark 15:34),” echoing the depths of His suffering and the profound mystery of His union with humanity's pain and brokenness. The Father has not abandoned Jesus, but just as sin separates us from God, so Jesus felt the pain that comes from such separation when He took on himself the sin of the entire human race.
We know the story does not end at the cross. The ultimate victory comes with Jesus' resurrection, affirming His triumph over sin and death. Through His sacrifice, we are offered the gift of salvation and the promise of eternal life. As we reflect on this Gospel passage and enter into Holy Week, let us remember that Jesus' sacrifice was not just an event in history but a living reality that is meant to continually transform our lives if we allow it to do so. We are called to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Him with unwavering faith and love. May the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ be our strength, our hope, and our salvation.
Schedule for Holy Week and Easter
Monday: Mass at 7AM; confessions heard from 6:30AM to 6:50AM.
Tuesday: Mass at 7AM; confessions heard from 6:30AM to 6:50AM; Chrism Mass at the Cathedral at 6:30PM.
Wednesday: Mass at 7AM; confessions heard from 6:30AM to 6:50AM; School Mass at 8:30AM; Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 12:30PM to 5PM, ending with Benediction; confessions heard from 4:15PM to 4:45PM; Living Stations of the Cross presented by CTK school students at 6:00PM.
Holy Thursday: Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 5:30PM followed by adoration in Roesch Hall until 10:00PM; there is no morning Mass on Holy Thursday.
Good Friday: Stations of the Cross at 12:05PM; confessions heard from 4:00PM to 5:00PM; Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 5:30PM; there is no morning Mass on Good Friday.
Holy Saturday: Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter at 8:00PM; there are no confessions heard on Holy Saturday and there is no 4:30PM Mass.
Easter Sunday: Masses at 8:00AM and 10:00AM; there are no afternoon confessions heard and there is no 5:00PM Mass.
Blessings to you and yours for a grace-filled Holy Week!
Father Chris House
