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16 th March 2008
D: Good morning.. This weekend of course we celebrate Palm Sunday – a day in which we remember the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem where the crowds welcomed him waving palm branches.
B: It was a triumphal entry – even if it was on a donkey! Today is also the day where we hear the Long gospel – the story of the Passion of Jesus. Our word of life for today comes from Matthews Gospel “Jesus cried out in a loud voice and yielded up his spirit”. This is a very dramatic moment in the Gospel, where we all kneel and pause for a moment in silence.
S: In fact Palm Sunday marks the beginning of a very dramatic week in the Churches year – Holy week is full of dramatic events and the imagery of this week is very powerful. You only have to think of the Stations of the Cross in our Churches – what an amazing and powerful story. Take a look at them the next time you are in Church.
B: Today in the Gospel we hear about the crowds pressing around Jesus. There were fickle admirers, hostile scribes and Pharisees, soon deserting disciples, plotters and Schemers. All had expectations and even accusations against Jesus; in fact you might say that he only impartial participant on that first Palm Sunday was the donkey.
D: Very Good - Our Reflection this morning comes from John Seramane and it is simply called The Cross.
You asked for my hands, that you might use them for your purposes.
I gave them for a moment; then withdrew them, for the work was too hard.
You asked for my mouth to speak out against injustice.
I gave you a whisper that I might not be accused.
You asked for my eyes to see the pain of poverty.
I closed them, for I did not want to see.
You asked me for my life that you might work through me.
I gave you a small part that I might not get “too involved”.
Lord, forgive me for calculated efforts to serve you
Only when it is convenient for me to do so,
Only in those places where it is safe to do so,
And only with those you make it easy to do so.
Father, forgive me, renew me, send me out as a usable instrument,
That I may take seriously the meaning of your cross.
B: You’ve been listening to "Just a thought" with Brenda Cribbin...
d: and David Bracken. We can be contacted through the Limerick Diocesan Offices at Henry Street. Remember you can also print out your own copy of this thought by clicking on www.limerickdiocese.org
B: We look forward to your company next week, so take care...
D & B: SLÁN………..
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