2025 4 13 – 600 pm mass- Palm Sunday Yr C – Lk 22 14-23 56 accept the cross
Today we commemorate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem followed by his passion and death. I am going to focus on one aspect of Jesus passion and death and that’s the carrying of his cross.
One reason Jesus carried a cross is to remind us and be in solidarity with us. That we will all have crosses in our lives.
SLIDE:
Picture of ordinary man carrying a cross
It could be health problems, relationship issues, financial reversals. You may be worried or angry about the economy or the political situation in Washington.
Palm Sunday shows us the cross was not an unforeseen frustration of a plan that was supposed to turn out differently.
This was God’s plan from the beginning which Jesus accepted lovingly.
(pause)
In our weak humanity we want to deny / or ignore / or fight / the cross in our lives. We say why me Lord?
Listen to what St Peter said to Jesus when Jesus told his disciples of his coming cross.
“Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.”
Jesus rebukes Peter in the strongest terms “get behind me Satan! You are an obstacle to me you are thinking not as God does but as human beings do.” (Matthew 16:23)
(pause)
But here’s the good news for everyone carrying crosses – which will be all of us.
God does not want us to carry our crosses by ourselves.
In fact, the appearance of a cross in our life is the opportunity for an invasion of God’s grace period it’s an opportunity for encounter with the loving God.
Here is the good news –
SLIDE:
God’s yoke is easy
God’s burden is light
(Matthew 11:28-30)
(Fr Peter reads slide)
Now you might say that’s not true for me! My burden is heavy. If your burden is heavy, you’re carrying more than God wants you to. You need to give most of that burden and worry and anger to God. You need to put your trust in God’s providential care. And you need to reach out to others for help – your family and friends.
Many people have told me the following: “I hate to bother my children or friends, they have busy lives to lead.”
However, when I talk to the kids, they express dismay that their elders consider themselves a burden.
Our culture worships self-reliance and detests dependence. But that’s not God’s plan for you.
God is a communion of persons, and we are made in the image and likeness of God. So, reach out to others.
reach out to God.
reach out to the church.
reach out to me
We’re all in this together!
We need to learn to accept our crosses. In fact, it’s in denying,/ ignoring, / or fighting our crosses that is the most exhausting.
So let us look to God and others to help carry our crosses.
Let us journey together this week as we walk in the footsteps of Jesus as we commemorate Jesus carrying his cross and the sins of the world for us.
