Thursday, April 02, 2020
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion 2020
This Sunday, April 5th begins Holy Week with the Cycle A Reading of the Lord’s Passion from the Gospel of Matthew. It is fitting that during this week that we intensely focus our minds and hearts on the steps of our Savior as He laid down His life for us. May we also examine the small acts of generosity and sacrifice by some of those who encountered Jesus during this most eventful week over 2000 years ago.
The first occurred when Jesus gave instructions about the room where He wanted to celebrate the Passover. He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him…” ‘In your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.’” While we do not know this man’s name, we know he agreed to this request and he shared the gift of his home and hospitality. Because of his generosity and sacrifice, his home became the site of the institution of the Eucharist!
There was also Simon the Cyrenian, who offered the gift of his physical strength, helping Jesus to carry His Cross. Consider, too, the actions of Joseph of Arimathea — he generously shared the gift of his tomb, and he gave the gift of service to our Lord by giving Him a proper burial. Then the “two Marys” gave Jesus the gift of their time. Keeping watch in tender vigil after His death, they “remained sitting there, facing the tomb.”
Each of these simple acts of generosity and sacrifice, God used in mighty ways. God invites each of us, too, to cooperate with Him in small ways through the sharing of our time, talents and material gifts. Small gifts can become mighty deeds when placed in God’s service.
At this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, we see many nonprofit organizations and churches struggling financially because of a lack of donations. A large swath of our population has found itself laid off or furloughed. Generosity and sacrifice on our part is more important than ever before. May God inspire us to serve the needy as those in the Gospel served our Lord Jesus during the first Holy Week 2,000 years ago.