![]()
Reflection From
Fr. John
Meditation from Rev. Dr. Michael W. Davis
March 29, 2026
This weekend, the Church begins a very solemn commemoration of our Lord's passion, suffering, and death. It
almost has nothing to do with the palm branches that so many of us eagerly look forward to receiving as part of today's
ceremony; unless, of course, the branches truly express a deep authentic acknowledgement that Jesus is the Christ, the Lord
of our lives.
So often we can be swept up in the cultural excitement and annual routine of such special days in our liturgical
calendar, and simultaneously miss the whole point of why we commemorate these events of our salvation with such solemnity
and devotion. Do we acclaim Christ throughout the whole year round? Is the enthusiasm of our religious observance today
connected with our daily witness to the faith, a consistent and vibrant sacramental life, and a commitment to stand up for
Christ and his Gospel agenda in the work we do in his name?
The many "characters" in our long Gospel reading this weekend demonstrate a wide variety of responses to the
meaning of Jesus. There were those who were his closest friends, who observed his deeds in person, who heard his words,
who dined with him, and were challenged by him to carry on his work. There were those among his followers (and one in
particular) whose insecurities and greed got the best of them, leading them to betray Jesus, whether selling him out, or
shouting "crucify him!" There were those who were caught up in the fervor of the crowd. They may have just wanted to be
where the action was at, regardless of who Jesus was. They may have missed the whole point! There were those who never
knew Jesus, and yet were drawn into the moment by circumstance or providence, encountering Jesus in his darkest hour.
There were those who received forgiveness from Christ, as he hung upon the cross. There also were those who received his
last will and testament, being covered in the blood of the Lamb, and forming the nascent Church, the mystical body of Christ.
The haunting question for all of us today is: where do we stand? What say we about the Christ? With whom do we
align ourselves most closely in this Gospel? And, what does this story say about our own lives? Let's be careful! We can
certainly get and wave the palm branches, and miss the whole point. I invite you to make a conscious decision to enter into
the events that surrounded the last days of the life of Jesus.
I invite you to participate whole-heartedly in the prayers, songs, and gestures that make up the experience of Holy
Week. The entrance into Jerusalem leads to the Last Supper, which leads to Calvary, which leads to Easter Sunday, and the
mystery of new and eternal life. We wouldn't even be talking about all of this had it not sent shock waves throughout the
known world. Our Church came into existence because of these events: Our culture has been shaped by these events. Our
family trees have been impacted by these events. Our very life's purpose finds its ultimate meaning in the significance of
these events. Let's not miss the point.
Pray, while you may. Encounter Christ in Word, sacrament, symbol, and song these days. Holy Thursday, Good
Friday, and Easter are "musts" for the authentic follower of Jesus, because they are the interpretive key which unlocks the
mystery of Sunday, and of the goal of the life we have been given. Praised be Jesus Christ!
Father John
Read More
