and so it begins…
hugs n’ blessings for the feet we are called to wash.
Tag: blessings
hosanna, in the highest!
Yesterday was Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week!
Yes, the holiest week of the year for the Catholic Church.
This week the Church commemorates Christ’s death and burial which begins with Palm Sunday. The palms symbolize peace and victory. It was custom during Jesus’ time for people to pay homage by laying palm branches – or even clothes – in front of people who were owed a great amount of respect. The Gospel of John tells of how Jesus was welcomed into the city mere days before his death: “When the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took pam branches and went out to meet him, and cried out: ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, (even) the king of Israel’” (John 12: 12-13). On Palm Sunday, the faithful receive palm branches at the beginning of Mass followed by a procession. Doing so invites us to reenact Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem. Also, the blessed palms at Mass on Sunday, should not be thrown away. According to Canon Law (1171), blessed items are to be treated with reverence. If there is a need to dispose of such items, they must be buried or burned.
Continue reading “hosanna, in the highest!”
welcoming strangers
I am Roman Catholic.
I live in a Diocese who, not unlike many other Dioceses’ in the Country, are noticing a decline in active worship members. As a result, our Bishop is in the process of making difficult decisions to handle the reality of the increasing number of empty pews and the limited amount of Priests to preside over these (somewhat noticeable) empty Churches. Following the Easter Season we shall all know the consolidation plans for our Diocesan Parishes. I know for certain my Parish will be affected by these changes in some capacity.
Obviously, as one who loves the Catholic Church and all its teachings this is very sad to me. I struggle to understand the lack of zeal for the faith and the lukewarmness that has settled in to the hearts of many faithful. Truly, the Catholic Faith is not the only one to see a decline in its worship members, as I know the evil-one is not prejudice in his ploys to lead people astray from their Faith in a higher power.
However, even though I know there is cause for concern & a need for prayerful intercession for our prodigal brothers & sisters there is cause for great hope! Because without hope we fall into despair and despair is the playground of the Devil.
Continue reading “welcoming strangers”
hugsnblessings 