We know Jesus is Lord in the raising of his dead friend; an act that identifies him as the Messiah, and is the prelude to his own death and resurrection⎯our message of hope and new life. St. Paul writes that as a result of this great act of God’s love, we are empowered to live a new life in the Spirit. The Gospel Acclamation for today is: “I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will never die.” Considering the truth of this, the psalm for today (#130) is appropriate: “With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.” We acknowledge this truth with voices raised in songs of praise and thanks to God!
Next week end on Palm/Passion Sunday we begin the celebration of the holiest week of our liturgical year. In pre-Christian times, the palm was regarded as a symbol of victory. It was adopted by the early Christians as the symbol of victory of the faithful over the enemies of the soul: a symbol of the spirit over the flesh. When you return home from the Palm Sunday celebration, place the palm behind the crucifix as a reminder that it is through the cross that you will gain the final victory.
As believers, we Lift High the Cross: the symbol of new life, mercy and redemption.
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc