Palm Sunday and the Paschal Mystery

Today we enter into the central mystery of our faith – the Paschal Mystery. “Paschal” refers to the Passover – the Passover of Israel, the Passover of Jesus, and our Passover in union with Jesus. This is made clear if one celebrates all the component liturgies of this Passion Sunday and Triduum. All too often we focus on one day at a time and so miss the “big” picture and inherent unity. Each liturgy is essential and is vitally connected to the others. This year the Passion on Sunday is read from Luke. Remember that in Luke’s Gospel Jesus calls us to follow each day in His footsteps if we are to be His disciples and enter into His Kingdom. The Church invites us to do just that during this week. Please accept this invitation to enter into the entire journey from Passion Sunday to Easter Vigil this year. You might very well be surprised by the grace of this experience.