Palm Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk 

Passion Sunday – April 9, 2017

Readings: (Gospel before procession – Mt 21:1-11) Is 50:4-7; Responsorial Psalm Ps 22:8-9.17-18a19-20.23-24(R.2a); Phil. 2:6-11; Gospel Mt 26:14-27:66 OR 27;11-54.

Theme: The Passion of Christ: Learning the Lessons of Love

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I welcome you heartily to yet another Palm/Passion  Sunday. In Catholic tradition, Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the Holy Week. It reminds us of the messianic/triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem to face his blessed passion which ultimately leads to his glorious resurrection.

Today’s liturgical ceremony is meant to solidify our hope because palms are signs that we are willing to march with Jesus, not only in moments of triumph and glory, but also in times of fall and agony. Let us, therefore process proclaiming Christ as our messiah.

I would like us to reflect on The Passion of Christ: Learning the Lessons of Love. This is because Christ went to his passion because of love as we just read in the Passion Narrative. Palm/Passion has threefold lessons for us namely:

Ø  Jesus’ Suffering is an Invitation to love: “Love one another, just as I have loved you” – (John 15:12).

Ø  Jesus’ Suffering is a Sign of love: “No greater love can a man have than to lay down his life for his friends” – (John 15:13).

Ø  Jesus’ Suffering is a Revelation about love: “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me” – (Mark 8:34).

Dearly beloved in Christ, the passion of the Lord teaches us that; there is;

ü  No pain -----------------------------------------------Without gain

ü  No sweat----------------------------------------------Without Sweet

ü  No Cross----------------------------------------------Without a crown

ü  No Huddles-------------------------------------------Without Hope

ü  No Vanquish------------------------------------------Without a Victor

Friends Christ, Passion Sunday tells us the supremacy of love and the qualities it exemplifies:

ü  Love is stronger than-------------------------------------------------Violence

ü  Humility is stronger than---------------------------------------------Pride

ü  Kindness is stronger than---------------------------------------------Anger

ü  Gentleness is stronger than-------------------------------------------Rudeness

ü  Peace is stronger than-------------------------------------------------War

Jesus was the Lead Actor in this tragic episode/narrative while others acted as prisoners. We see this viz:

Ø  Pilate: Who was imprisoned by his own weakness.

Ø  Priests (The High): Who were controlled not by truth but by their lust for Jesus’ blood.

Ø  Peter: Who was imprisoned by his own weakness.

Ø  Judas: Who ended his life as the prisoner of his helplessness.

Are you disappointed in life?

Are you suffering from a deathly disease?

Are you heart-broken?

Are your children a nightmare to you?

Have you been betrayed?

Have you lost a dear one?

Is your marriage at the verge of collapse?

Is your life on the brink of the grave?

Is your hand like super glue – making it difficult for you to be generous?

Is there a particular sin that is putting a reverse gear in your spiritual growth?

Do you find it difficult to forgive?

Do you see yourself changing for Good?

Christ demands humility from you as an antidote to sin; a recipe for greater feats in your life. Little wonder, our reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians 2:6-11 says: “Though he was in the form of God…” This resonates with God’s title as Adonia – a name which reveals Christ’s humanity and Divinity. With God’s love in our hearts, we can say, “we know we will not be shamed” as our first reading Isaiah 5:7 suggests.  

This is my Prayer for You:

Lord, teach us to love, as you loved us:

To give-------------------------------------------and not count the cost

To fight ------------------------------------------and not to heed the wounds

To walk-------------------------------------------and never get tired

To toil---------------------------------------------and never to seek for rest

To run---------------------------------------------and never get weary

To be thirsty--------------------------------------and never seek for a drink

To labour-----------------------------------------and not to ask for reward.

We are excepted to do God’s will now and always. May the blessings of Palm/Passion Sunday lead us all the way through the Holy Week to a Glorious Easter Celebration, Amen!

NB: Rev. Fr. Justine Dyikuk invites you to his Dinner Book Review, Unveiling and Launching Event.

Book Title: Couples’ Clinic: A Practical Guide on Conflict Resolution in Marriage and the Family in the Light of Effective Communication - For Couples, Would-be Couples, Pastors of Souls and Marriage Councilors.

Reviewer: Rev. Fr. Bitrus Lange.

Chairman & Father of the Day: Engr. Emmanuel Anbua.

Chief Launcher: Amb. Frank Adibe, JP.

Date: Tomorrow, Palm Sunday 9 April 2017.

Time: 4pm prompt.

Venue: Youth Formation Centre, Off Sunday Awoniyi Road Bauchi.

God bless you as you attend!