This week's readings Holy Week, Mar. 24 - 30 Palm Sunday, March 24, 2002 1st Gospel: Matthew 21:1-11 Reading I: Isaiah 50:4-7 Reading II: Philippians 2:6-11 Gospel I: Matthew 26:14--27:66 or Gospel II: Matthew 27:11-54 Monday, March 25, 2002 Reading I: Isaiah 42:1-7 Gospel: John 12:1-11 Tuesday, March 26, 2002 Reading I: Isaiah 49:1-6 Gospel: John 13:21-33, 36-38 Wednesday, March 27, 2002 Reading I: Isaiah 50:4-9a Gospel: Matthew 26:14-25 Holy Thursday, March 28, 2002 Reading I: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14 Reading II: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Gospel: John 13:1-15 Good Friday, March 29, 2002 Reading I: Isaiah 52:13--53:12 Reading II: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 Gospel: John 18:1--19:42 Easter Vigil, Saturday, March 30, 2002 Reading I: Genesis 1:1--2:2 Reading II: Genesis 22:1-18 Reading III: Exodus 14:15--15:1 Reading IV: Isaiah 54:5-14 Reading V: Isaiah 55:1-11 Reading VI: Baruch 3:9-15, 32--4:4 Reading VII: Ezekiel 36:16-17a, 18-28 Epistle: Romans 6:3-11 Gospel: Matthew 28:1-10 Pope's Prayer Intentions March General Intention That the Gospel of love may be the basis of our social programs: That the Gospel of love may manifestly and consistently be the basis of all our Catholic social programs. March Mission Intention Gospel-inspired reconciliation and solidarity among the people of Africa: That the people of Africa may embrace Gospel truth and love, and promote reconciliation and solidarity.

Hosanna!:

		Word of God  Word of Life  Fr. John G. Stillmank

The "parade" in which Jesus enters Jerusalem, which we celebrate on Palm or Passion Sunday, is one in which we belong, and one in which we don't belong.

As disciples of Jesus who welcome the coming of his kingdom, we belong in that parade. Our shouts of "Hosanna!" and "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord" are appropriate, if we recognize Jesus as the kind of king he really is.

Readings for Palm Sunday (March 24) Matthew 21:1-11 Isaiah 50:4-7 Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24 Philippians 2:6-11 Matthew 26:14--27:66

His kingdom is not of this world, as he will later remind us. He is not an earthly, worldly king with a large army and coffers filled with gold. Instead he comes in humility, not to lead a political revolt but to bring the Gospel of salvation to all people through his Church.

As sinners who do not fully understand the real meaning of the coming of the Son of David, we do not belong in that parade. Perhaps our voices raised in glad welcome will turn to ugly shouts of "Crucify him!" by Good Friday.

Such is the price of our pride, our sinfulness, our selfishness, our failure to accept the Gospel which shows Jesus to be "the poorest king who ever lived," as we might pray in a popular version of the Stations of the Cross.

"'Hosanna,' we shout on the way to Jerusalem. 'Crucify him,' we hear at the foot of the cross. 'He is not here,' we will find out soon. Follow the Lord to the Cross, for there is the mystery of his kingdom."

Or maybe we are his disciples who wave palms today but who are silent at the foot of the Cross. We don't holler "Crucify him," but neither do we stand up to be counted as his followers. We slink away, or watch from the sidelines. We pray that no one will recognize us as his associates. We're weak, we're afraid of the Cross.

So do we belong in the parade of Jesus' true followers? Yes, we do! Do we belong in the parade of those who have forsaken him? Yes, we do belong there, too. We are disciples who have heard the Gospel and who desire to follow Jesus more perfectly, but we are also sinners who struggle to do so.

Interesting, isn't it? Palm Sunday is a day on which we can readily recognize that we need a Savior! We who are his followers are nonetheless sinners. Sometimes our sin is one of silence, of failing to stand up for the Gospel. Sometimes our sin is a noisy one, in which people look at us and fail to see the innocent Lord as our teacher and master.

The answer is simple: all people are called to be followers of Jesus, to welcome him into their hearts as the king who brings them salvation and peace. We are even called to follow him to the Cross, to stand beneath it and recognize that our sins have put him to death.

And guess what? We are also called to sneak out to the tomb early on Sunday morning, to find out that the one we have followed cannot be held by its darkness and terror.

"Hosanna," we shout, on the way to Jerusalem. "Crucify him," we hear, at the foot of the Cross. "He is not here," we will find out soon. Follow the Lord to the Cross, for there is the mystery of his kingdom.

Fr. John G. Stillmank is Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Madison and pastor of St. Andrew Parish, Verona, and St. William Parish, Paoli.