Palm Sunday, March 25, 2018
Reflection
The beautiful excerpt from Ephesians 5 in today’s readings reminds us to “Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.” Even as this Palm Sunday opens the dark journey through Holy Week, we are minded of the ending beyond the ending – Christ’s death and his Resurrection.
Jean-Baptiste Fauré (not to be confused with Gabriel Fauré, the more widely known composer) was primarily a singer, but he wrote several songs, among which we find the beloved hymn “Les Rameaux” or “The Palms.” Not only is the tune a soaring, inspiring one, but the words carry us towards the hope of the Resurrection and towards faith in the light.
O’er all the way green palms and blossoms gay
Are strewn this day in festive preparation,
Where Jesus comes, to wipe our tears away,
E’en now the throng to welcome Him prepare.
Refrain:
Join all and sing His name declare,
Let ev’ry voice resound with acclamation,
Hosanna! Praised be the Lord!
Bless Him, who cometh to bring us salvation!
His word goes forth, and people by its might
Once more their freedom gain from degradation,
Humanity doth give to each his right,
While those in darkness find restored the light.
Refrain:
Join all and sing His name declare,
Let ev’ry voice resound with acclamation,
Hosanna! Praised be the Lord!
Bless Him, who cometh to bring us salvation!
Sing and rejoice, O blest Jerusalem,
Of all thy sons sing the emancipation,
Thro’ boundless love, the Christ of Bethlehem
Brings faith the hope to thee forevermore.
Refrain:
Join all and sing His name declare,
Let ev’ry voice resound with acclamation,
Hosanna! Praised be the Lord!
Bless Him, who cometh to bring us salvation!
Our writer in Ephesians calls us to “Awake, O Sleeper, and arise from the dead and Christ will give you light.” While with Fauré we sing, “Humanity doth give to each his right/While those in darkness find restored the light.”
And finally in glorious worship, the refrain:
Join all and sing, His name declare!
Let every voice resound with acclamation!
Hosanna! Praised be the Lord!
Bless Him, who cometh to bring us salvation!”
Liturgical Readings
Click the links below to view the Liturgical Readings for each day of the week.
- Readings for Sunday, March 25, 2018
- Readings for Monday, March 26, 2018
- Readings for Tuesday, March 27, 2018
- Readings Wednesday, March 28, 2018
- Readings for Holy Thursday, March 29, 2018, Chrism Mass
- Readings for Holy Thursday, March 29, 2018, Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
- Readings for Good Friday, March 30, 2018
- Readings for Holy Saturday, March 31, 2018