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From the Pastor’s Desk
As the Church comes to this Fifth Sunday of Lent, we enter a period called “Passiontide.” It’s no longer officially called this in Church norms, but the spirit of Passiontide, as it existed prior to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, are still very much around. Particularly for those who attend weekday Masses, you will notice the dramatic change in the tone of the Scripture readings as we prepare for the celebrations of Holy Week and the Sacred Triduum.
Next Sunday is Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. On this day we will remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem in the days leading up to His Passion, Death and Resurrection. We will also hear the Passion Narrative, this year from the Gospel of Saint Mark. Since this Gospel was most likely the first to be written, it’s also the first written narrative we have of Jesus’ Passion and Death. Life so much of this Gospel, the Narrative moves swiftly and quickly. One Scripture scholar has termed Mark’s Gospel as the Gospel of action and passion!
Remember that next Sunday the 11:00 a.m. Mass begins in the West Courtyard of the Cathedral. There Bishop Felipe Estévez will preside at the Procession and Blessing of Palms. Then Mass will be celebrated followed by our City’s annual tradition of the Blessing of the Fleet. It’s a wonderful day filled with pageantry and the solemnity of the liturgical rites of our Catholic faith.
Love,
Father Tom