Daily Meditation - Sunday 16th. March 2008 - PALM (PASSION) SUNDAY - THE CROSS SETS US FREE

[BarbaraTherese]

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TODAY IS PALM SUNDAY
HOLY WEEK
COMMENCES

DAILY MASS READINGS
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Meditation
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Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

When we think about the Passion, we often focus on Jesus’ physical suffering. Today, let’s set our focus instead on the suffering that was going on in his heart. We can only imagine how deeply it must have pained him being rejected and humiliated by his own people: “Insult has broken my heart, and I am weak; I looked for compassion, but there was none, for comforters, but found none” (Psalm 69:21)

. It wasn’t that Jesus needed their acceptance, of course; he wept because he knew that by rejecting him, they were turning away from the love his Father was offering them.

How many of us have loved someone deeply, only to have them turn their back on us or treat us badly? There are times when this sense of abandonment can seem almost unbearable, to the point where it leads to unforgiveness, the desire for revenge, and just plain hatred.

However, there’s no reason why we have to stay in the prison of rejection. For what we celebrate today is the fact that Jesus came to liberate us. He came not just to pay the price for our sins but to open the way for us to be delivered from all of our brokenness and division. Yes, Jesus took not only our sins but our anguish to the cross as well!

During the coming week, don’t dwell on the injuries you may have received from other people.*** Instead, tell the Lord that you want him to deal with those hurts.***

Ask*** his Holy Spirit*** to release you from your burdens, especially those caused by other people.

Let his joy and peace surround you. May they give you the power to forgive. If Jesus can heal broken bones, he can also heal broken spirits. So let him give you the freedom you are longing for!

“Lord, you are my deliverer.

I give you the pain in my heart
and ask you to take it to your cross.
Set me free and let me walk in the light of your love
and forgiveness!”