Pastor’s Corner: Hosanna to the Son of David!April 1—Those words spoken thousands of years ago in the streets of Jerusalem become our words as we join those crowds to welcome the Rabbi of Nazareth to the Holy City. The crowds swell, the word is passed along, the miracle teacher is here riding atop the beast of burden as our new King! The hearts of the Apostles and devoted disciples swell with pride, their friend and teacher, their miracle working leader now receive the glory that He deserves and takes hold of the city. As we begin this Holy Week and hear the haunting words of the Passion, we begin these days knowing that these shouts from the streets–ever joyful–shall soon become very angry and the calls of Crucify Him will replace them. As the Scriptures tell us, it had to be this way, that the Prince of Darkness and hate would be overcome by the Prince of Light and love. Even hanging on the cross, His love and forgiveness for those who placed Him there knows no limits. Please take note of the Holy Week schedule below beginning with Holy Thursday and the Last Supper in the Upper Room and the Lord’s prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, and then to the darkest of days, the Friday we oddly call “Good,” when evil took the hour and placed this kind and gentle Savior and healer on a tree. Like the tree in the Garden of Eden which brought us death, this tree will soon bring us life. And then the greatest feast of the entire Church year, as the darkness of sin and death is pierced once and for all with the chant Christ, our Light! and from one candle many are lit to make a dark church and world bright. And then, the greatest news of a once-crucified carpenter now alive touches our lives and our hearts as we rejoice on an Easter Sunday morning and an empty tomb when we hear the angels ask us, “Why do you search for the living One among the dead? He is not here. He has been raised up.” Please be sure to join us for all of these sacred days and celebrate the greatest victory of all time! Have a Blessed Holy Week and see you in church. God Bless. —Father Bob Marciano
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