So Lent is over and tomorrow is Easter! - April Fools! - Just kidding - we still have 5 more days of Lent left. It is getting very close to Easter - tomorrow is Palm Sunday - the beginning of Holy Week - the holiest week in the Christian calendar. On Palm Sunday we listen to the reading of the Passion for the first of two times in this week. Then on Monday the bishops typically celebrate a yearly Chrism Mass when they bless the Sacramental Oils that will be used throughout the year. After blessing - the oils are distributed to all the parishes in that diocese. Tuesday is normally a calm day - nothing special done on Tuesday or Wednesday - except note the end of the Lenten season. Once that is accomplished - we move into the Triduum. As for today - Saturday is basically the calm before the storm. Last minute preparations for the celebration of Palm Sunday - making sure there are enough palms to be handed out to all the parishioners once they have been blessed - additional seating for the large crowds at Mass.
As in any grand celebration - a lot of work has to be done before the big day. Anyone who has helped arrange a special birthday party - wedding - knows fairly well what that entails. This is usually - in most parishes - a much bigger celebration that those - especially because it is a very special religious event - honoring God - Our Lord Jesus - His Holy Spirit. Everything that we have been doing for the last five weeks has been leading up to this special sixth week. For us as individuals - it reflects in a special way - our individual efforts during Lent - the prayers - scripture study - time in reflection - meditation - adoration - attending Holy Mass - confession - reconciliation - our personal efforts this Lent. A few days remain - not time to stop - rather continue our efforts - Jesus asks to stay with Him until all is accomplished.
Deacon Dale
