This Sunday is Palm /Passion Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, the holiest week in the Church’s year. During this week, we will be following in the steps of Jesus, as he walks the Way of the Cross.
Below is a reflection by Pope Francis on the crucifixion, given on April 8th, 2014:
“Christianity is not a philosophical doctrine, it is not a program of life that enables one to be well formed and to make peace. These are its consequences. Christianity is a person, a person lifted up on the cross. A person who emptied himself to save us. He took on sin. And so just as in the desert sin was lifted up, here God made man was lifted up for us. And all of our sins were there.
Therefore one cannot understand Christianity without understanding this profound humiliation of the Son of God, who humbled himself and made himself a servant unto death on the cross.
Thanks to the mercy of God, we glory in Christ Crucified. And that is why there is no Christianity without the Cross, and there is no Cross without Jesus Christ.”
and in a further homily, given by Pope Francis on January 19th , 2014, he stated:
“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn 1:29). The verb that is translated as “take away” literally means, “to lift up,” or “to take upon oneself.” Jesus came into the world with a precise mission: to liberate it from the slavery of sin by taking on himself the sins of mankind. How? By loving.
There is no other way to conquer evil and sin than by the love that leads to giving up one’s life for others.”
Have a wonderful and prayerful Holy Week!!