This year we cannot celebrate Palm Sunday as usual, because of the danger of spreading the coronavirus which has claimed many lives. Therefore, parishes call for all parishioners to be able to celebrate it in their homes creatively. One good example that I see being done by many people is that every family place palm leaves or branches at their doorsteps. That is a simple yet excellent idea. As such, they remember that the Church has entered Holy Week. Besides, this simple act shows to the world that we might be isolated but will never be separated. We remain united as members of the Body of Christ, no matter where we are. Because the real Church is not a Church built on stones, but a Church built by individuals who love and serve Jesus Christ. This is the living Church; this is the domestic Church because it is built upon a family basis.
Today, we are a community of sufferers, just like Jesus, our Lord, who has suffered for us. The evangelist Matthew told us that the palm leaves were hoisted by people in Jerusalem who rejoiced in welcoming Jesus, the Messiah. They cried “Hosanna, son of David.” However, it is also the people who will later cry for Jesus to be crucified at Golgotha. Our Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, experienced severe and shameful suffering, even death. However, He sacrifices himself for the salvation of the world, for you and me.
However, behind the suffering that we experience in life, there is still hope. We believe that all pain will end. Our faith shows that the death of Jesus that we will commemorate on Good Friday will bear fruit in the resurrection, as we will celebrate on Easter Sunday. Therefore, faced with all the sufferings of life, let us never give up. Instead, keep firm in the faith, while crying out that God is our rock. He is our hope; he will never leave us. He will surely come to help us. This is the faith that we need in our daily lives. May God bless you all.
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