The Passion of Jesus humbles us all

Dear friends

Holy week has begun. Our Lord comes to us in procession with palms, hailing Him as “Blessed is He, who comes in the name of the Lord”.

However amidst all the fanfare given to Jesus, we hear the sadness of Our Lord’s Passion. So many surrounding Him on every side, taking up arms against Him, and insulting him. Jesus is assaulted by so many who wish to tear Him to pieces. How fickle is the praise given to Him as he enters Jerusalem for within the week He hears the cruel words “Crucify Him, Crucify Him”. Jesus is alone in the middle of a horde that hemmed Him in on every side. They were armed with spears and swords, daggers and vile weapons of torture. Alone, without anyone to take His part. In His distress, He lifted up His eyes to heaven “Father, why have you abandoned me”.

Amidst a multitude of hate stand Mary His Mother, Mary of Magdala and John. They hold out their hands to Him in prayer and their hearts with love. These three give the Lord Jesus the courage to faces His passion. Their love protects Him from dying alone. They hear and feel His pain and sorrow. The Passion of Jesus humbles us all. He died for me. He suffered all this for me. How can I respond?

We remember that no one can be relied upon, other than God. In all our trials, Our Lord will always send someone to help me. Surrounded by evil or the assault of people against me. I too will find myself surrounded on every side, so that I can do nothing else but lift up my eyes to heaven and cry out to God. Remember the words of Jesus as He died on the cross “Here is your mother.” “Father forgive them.” “This day you will be with me in Paradise.” Let us attach ourselves to Jesus, the most surest of friends, the most loyal.

God love you
Fr Frank

Holy Week  

• Holy Thursday - NO RECONCILIATION - NO PARISH MASS at Birkdale 
  ​Holy Thursday celebrations at Carmelite Monastery, Ormiston at 7:30pm
• Good Friday - 12noon Stations of the Cross and Holy Communion St Mary MacKillop, Birkdale |
  3pm Carmelite Monastery, Ormiston
• Easter Vigil Mass Times - 7:00pm St Mary MacKillop, Birkdale | 8:00pm Carmelite Monastery, Ormiston
• Easter Day Mass Times - 8:00am St Mary MacKillop, Birkdale | ​9:00am Carmelite Monastery, Ormiston

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