Apr. 5 - Passion Sunday with Jesus through Mary

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Lord help us to ponder more deeply, the Sacred Scriptures, we hear at Mass today – hopefully most of us have access to live-streamed Mass – but if not, read out-loud to yourself or your Family, Listening:

Reading 2- from Phil 2:6-11:

Christ Jesus, though He was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
something to be grasped.
Rather, He emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance,
he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
which is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Let us further ponder the Mother and Model, Jesus gave us on Calvary, as Pope St. John Paul II wrote of her and Jesus:

Following the events in her Son’s life, Mary shared in his drama of experiencing rejection from some of the chosen people. This rejection first appeared during his visit to Nazareth and became more and more obvious in the words and attitudes of the leaders of the people.

In this way the Blessed Virgin would often have come to know the criticism, insults and threats directed at Jesus. In Nazareth too she would have frequently been troubled by the disbelief of relatives and acquaintances who would try to use Jesus (cf. Jn 7:2-5) or stop his mission (Mk 3:21).

Through this suffering borne with great dignity and discretion, Mary shared her Son’s journey to Jerusalem (Lk 9:51) and, more and more closely united with him in faith, hope and love, she co-operates in salvation.

The Blessed Virgin thus becomes a model for those who accept Christ’s words. Believing in the divine message since the Annunciation and fully supporting the Person of the Son, she teaches us to listen to the Savior with trust, to discover in Him the Divine Word that transforms and renews our life. Her experience also encourages us to accept the trials and suffering that come from fidelity to Christ, keeping our gaze fixed on the happiness Jesus promised those who listen to him and keep his word.

Pope Saint John Paul II, General Audience, March 12, 1997 (PS - Thanks to hazcompat for finding this quote)

By God’s Grace let us LISTEN to all the Mass readings at:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040520.cfm remembering how Mary our Mother and Model listened and pondered all in her heart; remembering “she teaches us to listen to the Savior with trust, to discover in Him the Divine Word that transforms and renews our life.”

Totus Tuus!

 

[Vico]

…

2020

• March 29 - 5th Sunday of Lent or 5th Sunday of the Great Fast: Our Holy Mother Mary of Egypt (Byzantine)
• April 5 - Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion or Flowery Sunday (Byzantine)

Extol, extol, O my soul, O my soul,
the Lord seated on a colt, the Lord seated on a colt.

The Lord is God and has revealed him self to us. Prepare the festival!
Come, and with great rejoicing, let us extol Christ.
With palms and branches in our hands, let us sing his praises:
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord our Savior.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Vico,

Thanks for your reply. I just finished participating in the Live TV Broadcast of Mass on EWTN for Passion (Palm) Sunday, and prayed the Prayer offered on the TV screen for receiving Spiritual Communion. I believe they may re-air that Mass at noon - at least here in the USA.

The choir at the EWTN Studio is excellent, and they have been very careful about “Social Distancing” - there is no congregation present but only a Priest celebrant and 2 servers. Today there was a second Priest so they could read the Gospel account with 2 Franciscan Priests and 1 Franciscan Brother who also serves as Lector.

The Choir Director and Choir read the parts of the Gospel that the Congregation would have normally read. They also rotate the choir members. Yesterday there were 4 men and today there were 2 men and 2 women. Anyway, I’m including these details in case anyone is trying to participate in a Mass during this Covid-19 trial.

Today, I was hoping the Pries giving the homily would include Mary, standing at the foot of the Cross in his homily. He did not, and so I put a picture of Mary showing us her Immaculate Heart below the TV screen. It helped me to offer myself with Mary at the Offertory of the Mass asking Jesus to transform me as He He transforms the Bread and Wine. As the Priest washed his hands, I asked Mary to intercede for me that I might have a clean heart.

Especially and profoundly I offered myself with Mary at the Consecration, in union with Jesus’ Words:

This is My Body…This is My Blood…

Jesus came to us for the First time by the power of the Holy Spirit, through Mary, and He continues.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Cath, Salibi, and Stephie,

Thank you all for your “hearts” which testify to the love you have for Jesus and Mary. As St. Louis de Montfort wrote in his Treatise on “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin” Jesus and Mary are never out done in generosity" .

Let us continue to LISTEN to God’s Word as Mary our Mother and Model listened to Him with trust, believing:

… nothing will be impossible for God. (Luke 1:37)

God is able to transform our lives, as Pope St. John Paul was given grace to perceive and write for the Church concerning God’s work in Mary:

she teaches us to listen to the Savior with trust, to discover in Him the Divine Word that transforms and renews our life.

But do we continue to ask for His Grace with faith and no doubting?

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Buks,

Thanks for letting me know you liked my reply to Vico. Have you been able to participate in Mass using TV? Have you been blessed by the experience of praying to receive Spiritual Communion during this time when many of us cannot participate in a Mass or receive Holy Communion physically in our Churches?

It is difficult; and yet, I’m sure “God is working Good in many ways, for those who love Him and are called according to His Purpose” (cf Rom 8:28)