Palm Sunday
As we journey into Holy Week, we are preparing our hearts to enter into the time of Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection. It was on Palm Sunday that Jesus entered Jerusalem where people lined the streets to greet him, waving palm branches and shouting words of praise. He knew that soon he would be carrying his cross to Calvary, and so he was preparing his heart for what was to come.
Each of the four Gospels describes Jesus entering Jerusalem to prepare to celebrate Passover days before being betrayed, arrested, tried, and sentenced to a criminal’s death by crucifixion. Each one explicitly says that he rode into the city on a donkey. This image brings to mind a line from the Book of Zechariah in the Old Testament: The prophet describes a victorious king who enters Jerusalem “lowly and riding on a donkey. This passage from Zechariah refers to the Messiah, a spiritual king who would peacefully redeem Israel. The donkey itself is also interpreted as a sign of humility. This animal becomes almost a symbol of Christ himself, given how it patiently suffers and bears others’ burdens.
On the other hand, the palm branch had been associated with triumph and victory for hundreds of years before Christ. Winners of athletic contests, victorious generals, and triumphant kings would be awarded or welcomed with waving palm branches, a sign of jubilation.
The Gospel narratives give us two important images for Palm Sunday, the procession with palm branches and the donkey: one associated with triumphant victory, and the other with quiet humility.
Between happiness and heartbreak, this day calls us to let go and give our fears, sorrows, and burdens over to Christ as he approaches Calvary.
This weekend's liturgical color is red. Consider wearing red or accenting your home or your crucifix with red. Red calls to mind the blood which flowed from the side of Christ.
Reflection Questions
What time in your life did you feel both happiness and heartbreak?
The people of Jerusalem welcomed Jesus with cries of praise and thanksgiving. What are some ways that you can welcome Jesus into your home today to praise and thank him?
From the cross, Jesus said “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matt 27:46; Psalm 22). Do you ever feel abandoned by God?
What can we learn from the women and men who served Jesus?
How can Jesus’ diverse supporters serve as a model for discipleship today?
Why do Catholics wave palms on Palm Sunday, wash each other’s feet on Holy Thursday, or kiss the cross on Good Friday? In a BRAND NEW version of their classic video (with a bonus extra minute — because there’s a lot going on this week!), Busted Halo explains the significance of the final week we spend preparing for Easter.
On our daily Lenten journey with Jesus, we go to an “out of the way” place to encounter His presence in Scriptures, Haikus, Reality, and Prayer.
Daily Reflections by Roger Vanden Busch:
Join us for Mass this weekend in person at 4:oo on Saturday, 8:30 or 10:30 on Sunday, on www.gbres.org/live, our YouTube channel, and our Facebook page.
READINGS FOR THIS WEEKEND’S MASSES
VIRTUALLY SUNDAY REFLECTION
This weekend begins the greatest days of the year for Christians. As we enter in Holy Week with Palm Sunday, we must walk the walk with Jesus and refrain from cheap talk. We stay close to Jesus through service, tragedy, and new life as we journey with him from the Lord's Supper to the crucifixion upon Calvary to the Resurrection. Join Fr Tim as he reflects on Palm Sunday and Holy Week.
Resurrection Parish Core Value Reflections
Prayer Service/Compassionate Action Sharing/Sacrificial Love Hospitality Learning Gratitude Resurrection's core values are what we believe. Roger Vanden Busch has written reflections on each of Resurrection's core values.
Families
This Weekend's Bulletin
(click to read)
Congratulations to our own Katie McAllister who this week was a recipient of the Faith That Works Award sponsored by the Compass Newspaper of the Diocese of Green Bay. This annual award recognizes people in the Diocese of Green Bay who combine their faith and the work that they do to make impactful contributions in our parishes and the wider community.
Katie was recognized, not only for her ministry here at Resurrection Parish as the Communications and Technology Coordinator, but also for the many ways that she contributes to our wider community to make the Green Bay area an amazing place to live. Katie’s other involvements include serving as:
The Technology Coordinator for Whatsoever You Do, Inc. where she produces the Virtually Sunday Reflections and the One Word Reflections. She also works with other technology issues that support the work of this non-profit.
A StreetLights Outreach volunteer where she assists those experiencing homelessness in our area by providing a caring presence as well as food and drink to those in need on the streets of Green Bay.
An Amani Outreach volunteer where she assists seniors and those with disabilities through her caring and compassionate listening presence, as well as technology assistance from time to time.
Technology Coordinator for the Sisters of A New Genesis religious community, assisting them with their monthly Zoom calls.
Volunteer for the Allouez Beautification Committee which helps keep Allouez's streets, parks, and boulevards beautiful.
These are just some of the ways that Katie impacts our parish and the wider community. Congratulations Katie on a well-deserved recognition!
Many thanks to Deacon Kevin DeCleene for leading the way in the nomination process for Katie’s Faith That Works Award.
Recent Losses in Our Parish Family
Announcements
Ruby and Res
Ruby is getting the palms organized for this weekend's Palm Sunday Masses.
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