April 5th, Palm Sunday

Isaiah 50: 4-7, Psalm 22: 8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24, Philippians 2: 6-11, Mark 14: 1 – 15: 47

Palm branches were laid on the path that Jesus was to walk when he entered Jerusalem and we celebrate that today on Palm Sunday. Jesus knew where his path was to end: at the cross. Yet, he followed his path and carried his burden with such grace that is unimaginable in today’s world. Despite his holy grace, he proclaimed while dying on the cross: “God, why have you forsaken me?” showing he was truly human. We can feel a connection to this human side of Jesus since we have probably asked ourselves that same question at some point in our lives. I think about my own struggles and how many times I have asked myself “why me?” and have felt forgotten by God. Yet, I continue down the path that God has chosen for me- some days more enthusiastically than others. Have you recognized the path that God was laid down for you? Do you accept this path with Jesus’ grace? How do you carry the burdens that God has put on you? With anger, complaints, bitterness, denial, or skepticism? Or with fortitude, trust, grace, love and whole-heartedness? Each one of us has a path in life and a cross to bear down that path. It is our faith in God, like a bright lantern, that should guide us and a love for him that should give us strength when the cross feels too burdensome. And, we should always remember that our burdens are lighter when turned over to God. It is then that you will know and feel that God has not forsaken you. God does not abandon us…we abandon him.

Janine Durbin, mother of Alex and Nicolas Guerra