Palm Sunday - Palaspas (Gospel for Today)

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion, Cycle B

April 1, 2012

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This Sunday's Readings

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Gospel at the Procession with Palms
Mark 11:1-10 or John 12:12-16
Jesus enters Jerusalem as the crowds shout, “Hosanna!”
First Reading
Isaiah 50:4-7
The Lord's servant will stand firm, even when persecuted.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 22:8-9,17-18,19-20,23-24
A cry for help to the Lord in the face of evildoers
Second Reading
Philippians 2:6-11
Christ was obedient even to death, but God has exalted him.
Gospel Reading
Mark 14:1—15:47 (shorter form: Mark 15:1-39)
Jesus is sentenced to death and crucified. The centurion who witnessed his death declared, “This man was the Son of God.”
Background on the Gospel Reading

This Sunday, called Palm or Passion Sunday, is the first day of Holy Week. Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday are called the Triduum—three days that are the highlight of the Church year. There are two Gospels proclaimed at today's Mass. The first Gospel, proclaimed before the procession with palms, tells of Jesus' triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. Riding on a borrowed colt, Jesus was hailed by the crowds as they blessed God and shouted “Hosanna!” This event is reported in each of the four Gospels.

At the Liturgy of the Word on Palm Sunday, the events of Jesus' passion are proclaimed in their entirety. In Lectionary Cycle B, we read the passion of Jesus as found in the Gospel of Mark. We will hear these events proclaimed again when we celebrate the Triduum later in the week. On Good Friday, we will read the passion of Jesus from the Gospel of John.

In Mark's Gospel, Jesus' passion and death are presented as the consequence of the tension between the Jewish authorities and Jesus that had been building throughout his public ministry. This tension reached its breaking point when Jesus drove the merchants and moneychangers from the Temple. After this event, the chief priests and scribes began seeking a way to put Jesus to death, and yet, this is only the surface explanation for his death.

When Jesus was arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin—the council of Jewish priests, scribes, and elders—he was charged with blasphemy, citing his threat to the Temple. When he was brought before Pilate, however, the religious authorities presented his crime as a political one, charging that Jesus claimed to be king of the Jews. In continuity with a theme of Mark's Gospel, the messianic claim of Jesus is widely misunderstood.

In Mark's Gospel, Jesus' disciples are rarely models of faith and do little to invoke confidence in their capacity to continue his ministry after his death. They fare no better in Mark's narrative of Jesus' passion and death. At the Last Supper, the disciples insisted that none among them would betray Jesus. When Jesus predicted that their faith would be shaken in the events ahead, Peter and the other disciples protested vehemently. Yet in the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus returned three times to find them sleeping. Jesus prayed in agony over his impending fate while his disciples slumbered through the night. Just as Jesus predicted, Peter denied Jesus, and the disciples were absent during Jesus' passion and death. Only the women who had been followers of Jesus in Galilee are said to have been present at the Crucifixion, but they remained at a distance.

Throughout this Gospel, Mark challenges the reader to consider the claim with which the Gospel begins: Jesus is the Son of God. When we read Mark's account of the passion, we begin to comprehend the deeper theological statement being made about Jesus' death. In Mark's telling of the passion narrative, Jesus understood his death to have been preordained, and he accepted this death in obedience to God's will. Jewish Scripture is quoted only once, but there are several references to the fulfillment of the Scriptures. Jesus understood his anointing in Bethany as an anticipation of his burial, and he announced that this story would be told together with the Gospel throughout the world. Jesus predicted his betrayal by Judas as well as Peter's denial. At his arrest, Jesus acknowledged that the preordained time had arrived. Jesus was both confident and silent before his accusers. After he was sentenced to death, Jesus did not speak again until his final cry from the cross. The bystanders misunderstood and believed that he was calling for Elijah. The Roman centurion, however, affirmed what Mark has presented throughout this Gospel: Jesus is the Son of God. Nowhere was this revealed more fully than in his death on the cross.

During Holy Week, we prayerfully remember the events of Jesus' passion and death. As we meditate on the cross, we ask again and anew what it means to make the statement of faith that Jesus, in his obedient suffering and dying, revealed himself to us as God's Son.

Promise of God #90

Deuteronomy 4:31 WEB

for Yahweh your God is a merciful God;
he will not fail you, neither destroy you,
nor forget the covenant of your fathers which he swore to them.
     

Our God is a merciful God. He is full of compassion and love towards us. In today's promise, He tells Israel that He will never forsake them or hurt them or forget the promises He made to their forefathers. Our God is the ultimate promise keeper. He remembers every promise that He has made and He is faithful to keep all that He has promised. 

The enemy of our soul would want us to think otherwise. He has always been lying about the character and nature of God and will continue to do so because Jesus called him the father of lies (John 8:44). May we all be reminded today that God is faithful to do everything that He has promised for us. Not one of the promises that He has made will ever fail us for He is good and His mercy endures forever (1 Chronicles 16:34). 

My prayer today is that each one of us would choose to believe that God is who He says He is and we are who He says we are! May faith rise up within our hearts today and cry out to God... Lord I believe that you are a merciful God who keeps all His promises!

Photo by Steve Taylor

Galatians 5:14-15

When we are not motivated by love, we become critical of others. We stop looking for good in them and see only their faults. Soon the unity of believers is broken. Have you talked behind someone's back? Have you focused on others' shortcomings instead of their strengths? Remind yourself of Jesus' command to love others as you love yourself. When you begin to feel critical of someone, make a list of that person's positive qualities. If there are problems that need to be addressed, it is better to confront in love than to gossip.

by: Life Application Study Bible

The Life of Jesus Taking Shape in Us

What is the Cruciform Life?

The cruciform life is cross-shaped.  It is shaped by the cross into the shape of the cross.  The cross, representing the life, death, and resurrected life of Jesus as He is offered in the gospel, is the soul-shaping core of the disciple’s existence.  When the gospel is “of first importance” to you and “Christ is formed in you” (1 Corinthians 15,Galatians 4:19)  then your life takes on the shape of the cross:  you begin to live the vertical life of loving God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and you begin to live the horizontal life of loving your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36-40).

The cruciform life is a life.  It is a way of being alive and doing life in the place God has planted you.  It is not a program.  It does not offer tips and techniques.  It is not something you do only on Sundays.  The cruciform life is a day-in-day-out lifestyle of gospel-driven love for God and others.

The cruciform life is faith in Jesus Christ expressing itself through love for God and others (Galatians 5:6).  No matter where we are in our various spheres of influence we live a life that shows that Love IsFaith’s Expression.

The cruciform life is the life of Jesus taking shape in us (Galatians 4:19, Colossians 1:27, Galatians 2:20).  Each disciple, as s/he becomes more and more conformed to the image of Christ, will live as a Son and love as a Servant in his or her personal spheres of influence in increasing measure (2 Corinthians 3:18, 10:13-18):

Son: Like Jesus, the cruciform disciple will live in constant awareness of and dependence upon his or her relationship to God as His beloved(Matthew 3:16-17; John 15:9-10; Romans 8:14-17; 1 John 3:1-3; Romans 5:5b-11; Galatians 2:19-20).

Servant: Like Jesus, the cruciform disciple will live in constant awareness and practice of his or her role as bond servant by being emptied for the sake of others to the glory of God (Matthew 10:24-25; Mark 10:42-45; Luke 6:40; John 13:3-5, 14-16, 20:21; Philippians 2:5-11; Galatians 2:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15) in the following roles:


In relationship to God, the servant is a Seeker: one who exalts God by seeking first the Lord, His Kingdom, and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33; Psalm 24:3-6, 27, 34:8-10, 63:1, 105:3-4, 119:2, 10; Proverbs 2:1-5; Daniel 9:3; Jeremiah 29:13-14; Hosea 3:5; Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 11:5-13; Acts 17:26-27; Galatians 1:10; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 11:6, 8-16, 13:14).


In relationship to other people who are also disciples, the servant is a Shepherd: one who encourages his or her brothers and sisters in Christ as s/he loves and labors with them for the sake of the Kingdom (Luke 6:12-19; John 10:1-18, 15:12-19, 21:15-17; Acts 2:42-47, 4:32; Romans 1:11-12; Ephesians 5:18-21; Colossians 1:28-29, 3:12-16; 2 Timothy 2:22; Hebrews 3:12-13, 10:19-25).


In relationship to other people who are not disciples, the servant is a Sower: one who engages neighbors, nations, and the next generation with the love of Christ by sowing the good news of the Kingdom into his or her Personal Mission Field through works of service and witness (Genesis 1:26-28; Isaiah 58:10-12; Psalm 80; Matthew 9:35-38, 13:1-43, 28:18-20; Mark 4:26-32; John 4:31-38; Romans 1:13-17; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Acts 1:8; Galatians 5:6b, 6:8-10; James 3:18).


In relationship to all that God has made, the servant is a Steward: one who is continually equipped by God’s Word to use the resources (body, time, talent, treasure, truth, words, work, creation and relationships) God has given to him or her for the advancement of the Kingdom (Ezra 7:10; Mark 14:36; John 17:4; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, 10:31; Ephesians 4:11-16, 5:15-17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 4:10-11; Colossians 3:17, 23-24; Hebrews 5:8).

See Galatians 3:26-29 where both men and women are said to be “sons of God.” An adopted son in Paul’s day was a full heir while adopted daughters were not. In Christ, both men and women are full heirs and are therefore called “sons.”

See also “Created to Be Cruciform” and “A Cruciform Worldview” for more on the cruciform life.

Source: just click the link.

http://cruciformlife.wordpress.com/2008/08/15/what-is-the-cruciform-life/

Promise of God #89

Psalm 116:15 WEB

Precious in the sight of Yahweh is the death of his saints.
    

We have all experienced the loss of a loved one.  We ourselves will one day experience this ultimate transition to glory if Jesus tarries. The Amplified Bible translates Psalm 116:15 this way... Precious (important and no light matter) in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints (His loving ones). (AMP) 

Whenever one of our Father's much loved ones come home, it is a very precious and holy time to God. As he Amplified Bible says, it is important and no light matter. My prayer is that this simple yet profound promise of our importance to God will bring much comfort and hope. 

The hope of eternal life living in the presence of a loving God and Father is our destiny. It is our birthright because of the finished work of Jesus Christ. We do not have to fear death because we have this hope. May today's promise bring comfort to us for those who we have lost and peace to us to know that it is a precious time in the sight of our God when we will finally be home. 

One day, our God and Father will wipe away every tear from our eye and take away all the pain we have suffered on this earth. (Revelation 21:4) This is the hope that we all have in Christ.

Photo by Jeff Epp

Right from the Heart - Contentment

"Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have."

Philippians 4:11 

Contentment

One of the most rare commodities in society is contentment. Advertisers would have us believe that their product is the key to finding fulfillment and happiness. Television programming reinforces this message and fills our homes with images of things. It's like this "stuff" is essential to our happiness.

Seeking satisfaction in things will never bring contentment; it just leads to further dissatisfaction. How do we find contentment? Like so many other things, contentment is a choice - a by product. 

A man who had more than his share of difficulty in life said, "I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances." It was the apostle Paul who said that. How did he do it? The key was to found in his relationship with Jesus Christ. That's the Key for anyone. We all have the same opportunity to find contentment. It's a by-product of our relationship with Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. That is the Key to being content.

The Truth Will Set You Free

Jesus himself its the truth that set us free. He is the source of truth, the perfect standard of what is right. He frees us from the consequences of sin, from self-deception, and from deception by Satan. He shows us clearly the way to eternal life with God. Thus Jesus does not give us freedom to do what we want, but freedom to follow God. As we seek to serve God, Jesus' perfect truth frees us to be all that God meant us to be.

What happen when you Ignore Christ?

People will die in their sins if they reject Christ, because they are rejecting the only way to be rescued from sin. Sadly, many are so taken up with the values of this world that they are blind to the priceless gift Christ offers. Where are you looking? Don't focus on this world's values and miss what is most valuable-eternal life with God.

Judging Others (John 8:7)

This is a significant statement about judging others. Because Jesus upheld the legal penalty for adultery, stoning, he could not be accused of being against the law. But by saying that only a sinless person could  throw the first stone, he highlighted the importance of compassion and forgiveness. When others are caught in sin, are you quick to pass judgment? To do is to act as though you have never sinned. It is God's role to judge, not ours. Our role is to show forgiveness and compassion.

Promise of God #88

Matthew 25:34 WEB

Then the King will tell those on his right hand, 
‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you
from the foundation of the world; 

In today's promise, Jesus is telling a story about sheep and goats where the sheep (those who are in Christ) will be welcomed into the everlasting kingdom of our God and Father on that great day. Jesus tells us that the kingdom that we will inherit was prepared for us from the foundation of the world. 

You and I may not have a substantial inheritance on this side of heaven from our earthly parents, but when we finish our race and are welcomed into the dwelling place of our God and Father, we will have an everlasting kingdom inheritance waiting for us. 

May the reality of this promise encourage each one of us today. We are not poor in the sight of the living God, but are richer than any one of us could possibly imagine. Because we are sons and daughters to our heavenly Dad... because we are joint-heirs with Jesus (our elder brother) ... because we are the temple of the Holy Spirit... we have an everlasting kingdom inheritance waiting for us. Hallelujah!!!!

Photo by Jeff Epp

Promise of God #87

1 Corinthians 9:24-25 WEB

24 Don’t you know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize?
Run like that, that you may win.
25 Every man who strives in the games exercises self-control in all things.
Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. 
  

We are all called to run our own unique race. In Hebrews 12:1-2, the writer encourages us to fix on eyes on Jesus as we run the unique race set out for us. We are called to throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that can so easily trip us up and run our race with perseverance. It is interesting to note that your race is different from my race. I can't run your race and you can't run mine. We can only be ourselves and fulfill the destiny that God has for each one of us. 

The encouragement for today is knowing that an eternal crown awaits each one of us at our finish line. There is not a solitary crown given to the fastest runner, or the runner with the most endurance, but for everyone who finishes! It is amazing to think of our heavenly Dad's heart where everyone gets a prize! No one is left out.  So keep running your race. Don't stop. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, who is waiting at the end of your running lane ready to present you with a crown of glory that will last forever!

Photo by Barry Adams

Promise of God #86

Galatians 6:9 WEB

 Let us not be weary in doing good,
for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up.
   

Sometimes when I go on a ministry trip, I can get tired. Even though I love what I am doing, the rigors of travel, different places to sleep, meeting new people, etc. can get very tiring. In today's promise we read that should never tire of doing good. This doesn't mean that we never get tired in the natural, but it does mean that we should never lose heart and give up. 

The Amplified Bible translates Galatians 6:9 this way... And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. (AMP)

In 1 Corinthians 13:13, Paul the Apostle tells us that faith, hope and love remain. Today's promise is about encouraging us to be strengthened with hope. Hope that there is a harvest that we will one day reap if we do not give up. God loves it when we do good to one another. May you and I have strength today to continue to do good to those around us and may we be encouraged to know that there is a real harvest that we will reap if we don't give up.

Photo by Eric Boldt

Pasyon

The Pasyón is a Philippine narrative of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ set as an epic poem. In stanzas of five lines of eight syllables each, the standard elements of epic poetry are interwoven with a colorful, dramatic theme. The primary method of performing this text is its recitation during the Lenten season or Holy Week, and is a popular Catholic devotion.

 The Pasyón is normally heard during Holy Week in the Philippines, where its recitation is known as the Pabasa ("Reading"). The rite can span several days, extending no later than Black Saturday, but is usually ended before 3 pm of Good Friday (the time when Jesus died on the cross).

source: Wikepedia 

 Click here for ONLINE PABASA

Speak up for Christ

Everyone was talking about Jesus! But when it came time to speak up for him in public, no one said a word. All were afraid. Fear can stifle our witness. Although many people talk about Christ in church, when it comes to making a public statement about their faith, they are often embarrassed. Jesus says that he will acknowledge us before God if we acknowledge Him before others. Be courageous! Speak  up for Christ!

Promise of God #85

Isaiah 49:16 WEB

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are continually before me.
  

Today's promise is part of a much loved Scripture passage from Isaiah 49:15-16 that describes the amazing mothering heart of Father God... 15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, these may forget, yet I will not forget you! 16 Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. 

In this passage of Scripture, we are told that even though a mother may forget her own nursing child, our God and Father will never ever forget us! He so desires to keep us in His sight that He has even engraved us on the palms of of His hand. 

When I think of this picture, I cannot help but think of the cross of Jesus Christ and His own nail scarred hands. I wonder if today's promise was a prophetic picture of Jesus' sacrifice at Calvary where our God would be forever reminded of us because of the finished work of Christ? He will not forget you! You are always before Him. He loves you so much, that He has carved your name in the very palm of His hands. May the reality of this promise go deep into our hearts today.

Photo by Carl Dyck

Prayer Request for Operation

Jesus + Words = Eternal Life

After many of Jesus' followers had deserted him, he asked the 12 disciples if they were also going to leave. Peter replied, "To whom would we go?" In his straightforward way, Peter answered for all of us - there is no other way. Though there are many philosophies and self-styled authorities, Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. People look everywhere for eternal life. People look everywhere for eternal life and miss Christ, the only source. Stay with Him, especially when you are confused or feel alone.

Inspirational Quotes - SoftheHT2012

Inspirational Quotes

Promise of God #84

1 Peter 5:6 WEB

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God,
that he may exalt you in due time;
  

Today's promise simply encourages us to walk in humility. God loves it when we embrace humility because when we are truly humble, we are just like Him! Jesus told us that the greatest in the kingdom is the servant of all (Matthew 23:11). Who is the greatest in the kingdom but our Father? That means that He carries within Himself the heart of a servant. 

When we choose to humble ourselves, He is so delighted that He is the One who lifts us up! We don't have to fight and strive for our position in the kingdom because our Father will exalt us at just the right time. I remember a few years back I went to a very large church meeting and I felt the Lord directed me to sit on the very last row at the back of the church. He told me to literally take the lowest seat in the building, so I did. 

Just before the meeting began, a man came up to my wife and I and ushered us to the very front of the building and we got the best seats in the house! The Lord then reminded me of His encouragement for us to take the lowest seat (Luke 14:8-10) so that we can then be re-assigned to a better seat if the opportunity arises. 

Our Papa loves it when we embrace true humility (not false humility) and trust Him to exalt us in due time. My prayer for each one of us today is that we would see the incredible benefits of walking with a humble heart in our Father's kingdom. 

Photo by Barry Adams

Keep the Faith

Right from the Heart - TIME TO TURN ON THE LIGHT

Time to turn on Light

When you're staying in an unfamiliar place, do you ever awaken in the night and get up without turning on the light? Next thing you know, you're tripping over a suitcase or walking into a table. The last time that happened to me, it was so painful! But when you turn on the light, everything is clear.

A lot of folks are trying to make it through life in darkness - spiritual darkness - and much self-inflicted pain and unnecessary fails take place, because most people in the dark feel they're doing just time on their own.

But Jesus tells us He's the light of the world. He means He is the enlightenment about God, man, and life. Without Him, we're in the dark spiritually. We keep stumbling. falling and feeling frustrated about it all. Hey, isn't it time for some of you folks to turn on the light, really see God, and understand life? If you do, everything will make sense.

by: Right from the Heart 1-minute

Right from the Heart - Grief

GRIEF

Losing a loved one or a close friend is never easy, but understanding the stages of grief can sometimes help. Grief involves numbness and denial, promoting an inability to feel when the news of the death arrives, and a sense of disbelief arrives, and a sense of disbelief that the person is really gone. It involves tearful emotion as the reality of a permanent separation sets in.

The loss of the loved one can involve anger at God or life as the world continues on when you're hurting so bad. It can involve depression, or feeling that life is meaningless. Finally, there is acceptance-coming to terms with the loss, and beginning to move on with life.

The grieving process takes time, but it can be overcome. The greatest strength for getting through it is found in the Lord. Remember, God understands your grief. He knows what it's like to have a child die. He saw His own son, Jesus, die for us all. He loves you and wants to help you overcome your grief if you'll let Him.

"So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; 

then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy."

John 16:22

Life Application - God's teaching

Jesus was alluding to an Old Testament view of the Messianic kingdom in which all people are taught directly by God. He was stressing the importance of not merely hearing, but learning. We are taught by God through the Bible, our experiences, the thoughts the Holy Spirit brings, and relationships with other Christians. Are you open to God's teaching?

by: Life Application Study Bible

Life Application - Purpose like Jesus

Out of His Heart Will Flow Rivers of Living Water

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."

John 6:35-36

However, those the Father has given me will come to me, 
and I will never reject them.

For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, 
not to do my own will.

John 6:37-38


And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day.
John 6:39

Jesus did not work independently of God the Father, but in union with him. This should give us even more assurance of being welcomed into God's presence and and being protected by Him. Jesus' purpose was to do the will of God, not to satisfy Jesus' human desires. When we follow Jesus, we should have the same purpose.

Promise of God #82

James 2:13 WEB

For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy.
Mercy triumphs over judgment.
 

The Message Bible says... Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time. The law of mercy and grace actually overrules the law of judgment. I don't know how you feel when you think about this promise, but I am thankful to God that His mercy does indeed win the day!

I am so glad that my God and Father does not treat me as my sins deserve, but is rich in His mercy towards me.  Every day I get to experience His new mercies! (Lamentations 3:22-23) In Matthew 5:7, Jesus tells us  Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (KJV) I am painfully aware that in my own life, I need all the mercy that I can get. So if I want mercy for myself, I better be a dispenser of mercy to everyone I meet too!

God loves mercy and He loves it when His kids are mercy-full. My prayer is that we would be a people who continue to walk in the the amazing love and mercy that God bestows on us so that we we can be His vessel of His mercy to others. May we actually love showing mercy (Micah 6:8) to those who don't deserve it and be an expression of our heavenly Dad's mercy to all those we meet. (Luke 6:36) ...Even to those drivers who may cut off us on the highway! 

The mercy of our God and Father will triumph over every form of judgment in your own life. Believe it. Receive it. Love it... and give it away!

Photo by Vern Martens

Our CALLING

There are no incidence, It is a calling from God.

 For He called us by Our Names.

What will be your response?

For us, our response will always be "YES" to GOD. Amen.

Our Mission-SoftheHT

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