By Sister Donna Fannon, MHSH
Mk 11:1-10 (At the procession); Is 50:4-7; Ps 22:8-19, 17-20, 23-24; Mk 14:1-72; Mk 15:1-39
Palm Sunday ushers us into Holy Week. As we receive our palm branch and listen to the opening Gospel we are transported in our imagination to the scene of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, seated on a donkey.
The crowds are still looking for a triumphant hero who will release them from the treacherous rule of the Romans. But, as we hear the Passion narrative—this year it’s from Mark—we remember that Jesus was alone in his suffering and death. The crowds did not get what they were looking for.
It is significant that Mark’s Passion narrative begins with the story of a woman who manages to break into a dinner party where Jesus is present. She anoints Jesus’ body with expensive oil. We are told that the oil was worth a year’s wages. She breaks the jar and pours the oil on Jesus’ head. Her action was not appreciated by the dinner guests. However, Jesus commends her. Immediately after that, Judas goes off to look for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to the authorities.
This story can inspire us to follow in Jesus’ footsteps. We might think of how we spend a year’s wages (a sharing of our gifts) to soothe the pain of those who make up the suffering Body of Christ in the world today.
As Holy Week unfolds and leads us to Easter joy, we come to a deeper realization that although there may not be many earthly rewards for us as disciples, Jesus promises to be with us now and “he prepares a place for us so that where he is, we also may be.” (Jn 14:3)
Questions for reflection:
- Do you feel confident enough in your relationship with God to trust your life with him?
- How does God trust you? Who are some of the people that God entrusts to your care?
- What graces do you need in order to live in this trust?
From The Heart 
Donna, thank you for your insightful reflection. I particularly liked the reflection questions which I will use during my meditation this week. Dolores SSJ