The Cross
Dear Parishioners of Our Lady of Divine Providence Family of Parishes,
Happy Holy Week! During this week, I would especially encourage everyone to take part in the Triduum liturgies: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. These liturgies are the summit of the Christian mystery. They form one single unit that unites together the Lord’s Supper, Crucifixion, and Resurrection. The different aspects of this one liturgical unit are celebrated at different locations within our Family of Parishes, enabling all of us to join together as one community that transcends brick and mortar walls.
Today, we celebrate Palm Sunday. The tone of the liturgy changes dramatically from the triumphal entry to the silent exit. This reminds us that the crowds that welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem quickly dispersed, forgot their excitement, and then turned against Jesus. It is easy to celebrate triumph. It is more difficult to be faithful to the Cross.
The Crucifix symbolizes the power of life over death, and of faith over fear. The story of the crucifixion is a “limit story,” meaning it’s a story that can’t be surpassed. In every aspect of the story, the worst things happen in the worst possible way. It is impossible to come up with a worse story. Jesus takes the very worst upon Himself, setting an example for us to do the same, and not to be afraid of the worst that evil can throw at us. Faith doesn’t make evil go away, but it does mean that we can confront and endure it courageously and victoriously. God doesn’t always intend for us to be safe, because safety is unreliable in the final analysis. Instead, God wants us to be strong and courageous, which is a more reliable way to ensure victory.
For ages, the Church has sung of the triumph of the Cross. Consider these words from a traditional hymn for Passiontide:.
Abroad the Regal Banners fly,
Now shines the Cross's mystery;
Upon it Life did death endure,
And yet by death did life procure.
O lovely and reflugent Tree,
Adorned with purpled majesty;
Culled from a worthy stock, to bear
Those Limbs which sanctified were.
Hail, Cross, of hopes the most sublime!
Now in this mournful Passion time,
Improve religious souls in grace,
The sins of criminals efface.
With Mary, let us stand faithfully with Jesus Crucified, so that we can share his Passion, and thus enjoy the beauty and glory of His resurrection.
Yours in Christ, with Mary,
Fr. Henry Hoffmann
