BRING YOUR FERN STALKS AND/OR CEDAR BRANCHES ON SUNDAY!!!! We are going to wave them about whenever we hear the word HOSANNA!!!
We are entering Holy Week. Already.
As Father Antony Kadavil says "It is on Palm Sunday that we enter Holy Week, welcoming Jesus into our lives and asking Him to allow us a share in His suffering, death and Resurrection. This is the time of the year when we stop to remember and relive the events which brought about our redemption and salvation.”
We can read varying accounts of this week in each of the gospels, and by reading one or some or all of them we can bring to mind now what happened to Jesus then. And, in so doing we can reflect on our own dying and rising; our own repentance and redemption, our own cycle of growth in faith.
There are many websites that offer Holy Week liturgies. The Gospel Coalition compiles passages for a full account of events for each day in Holy Week (www.thegospelcoalition.org):
Palm Sunday (April 2) Matthew 21:1–11, Mark 11:1–11, Luke 19:28–44, John 12:9–19
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem perched on a colt, it was the first time since raising Lazarus from the dead that he’d shown his face in the city.
Monday (April 3) Matthew 21:12–22, Mark 11:12–19, Luke 19:45–48
Jesus authority is highlighted
Tuesday (April 4) Matthew 21:23–26:5, Mark 11:27–14:2, Luke 20:1–22:2, John 12:37–50
Confrontation with appointed leadership
Wednesday (April 5) Matthew 26:6–16, Mark 14:3–11, Luke 22:3–6
Jesus is anointed with perfume
Thursday (April 6) Matthew 26:17–75, Mark 14:12–72, Luke 22:7–71, John 13:1–18:27
Disciples in upper room, feet washing, sharing a meal
Good Friday (April 7) Matthew 27:1–61, Mark 15:1–47, Luke 23:1–56, John 18:28–19:42
Jesus betrayed, beaten and crucified
Saturday (April 8) Matthew 27:62–66
Jesus buried in a cave.