Yesterday was Palm Sunday, also known as Passion Sunday. At church we listened to the reading of Jesus’ passion and death. For me it was a sobering start to Holy Week.

The passion in yesterday’s gospel reading is a sorrowful one – describing what Jesus went through following his initiation of The Lamb’s Supper (The Eucharist): a mocking trial, torture, the jeering crowd and the arduous journey to Calvary where he became The Lamb of sacrifice for us. We also read of Peter’s passionate denials of Jesus followed by his equally passionate sorrow once he realized what he had done.

Jesus’ passion as described in the gospels is one of agony. Jesus is no longer in control but must surrender to the wishes of others. He must endure many hours of anguish, waiting until he could finally utter those three sacred words “It is finished.” But he lived his life fully, and with passion, for us.

No doubt you have suffered in some way in your life – your own special passion – where you were no longer in control but had to wait in a type of agony until whatever it was finally became resolved. I have too, and I know how hard it can be. A challenging health diagnosis, the loss of a loved one, a broken relationship – each of these and many other things can bring on a time of sorrowful passion in our lives. And yet we must press on, looking upon our cross with hope.

It helps me to remember that within the passion of Jesus is the mystery of God’s immense love for us. In his Passion, Jesus sacrificed everything for us, and now Jesus waits in passionate love for us to choose him; to allow him to give us an abundance of love, graces and blessings. We just need to choose him above all else.

I encourage you to spend some time during this most holy of weeks to think about the Passion of Jesus – that special gift he gave us in the form of his suffering, death and resurrection. Think about the passion he had for all of us – the amazing love he showed by going through the terribleness of Good Friday. Perhaps you might watch a film this week that depicts Christ’s passion. But even better, if you can, attend some or all of the services offered by your church during this week. Immerse yourself in Jesus’s passion. And may you become as passionate about Jesus as he is passionate about you.

Have a blessed Monday!

Faye

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