• St. Gundleus (Woolo) (472). (Historical)

PALM SUNDAY.

LESSONS without end, at once lofty and hallowing, might be deduced from the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, celebrated by the Church on this day; we limit ourselves, however, to considering the event under one aspect merely, in order to draw therefrom a moral lesson for our spiritual instruction. Jesus Christ enters Jerusalem, and the people forthwith improvise a triumph all the more noble because it has cost neither blood nor tears, and so much the more touching because it is spontaneous. The whole town is in commotion, the roadway is strewn with branches and covered with the garments of the bystanders, every mouth resounding with acclamations, and blessings, and praise. Jesus Christ is proclaimed the son of David, the King of the nation and the Messiah. Ere a few days are sped, the very people that had applauded now clamor for His death, curse and insult Him, and assist at His degrading death with fiendish cries of triumph.

Even thus pass away the glories of the world, its joys, its possessions, even life itself. Today at the height of greatness, tomorrow in the deepest abasement; but yesterday the idol of a nation, today the object of its hate; now surrounded with prosperity, and yet a little while, borne down by misfortune; one day full of life and vigor, and the next consigned to the tomb. 

Foolish, then, are they who would account as of any value, or would cling to, things perishable! What bitter awakenings have not such poor deluded beings to expect, and what chagrin and tearful disappointments do they not create for themselves! The Christian who places the aim of his hopes and the centre of his affections at a higher range is both wiser and more happy. Prosperity does not blind nor inebriate him, since he knows it to be capricious and changeful; adverse fortune does not overwhelm him, because he was prepared for it and awaited it with calmness. The unforeseen alone affords any ground for fear; and to the faithful Christian there is nothing that is unforeseen.

REFLECTION: The recommendation given by the great Apostle may be aptly brought to mind: “And they that weep be as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as they rejoiced not; and they that use this world, as though they used it not; for the fashion of this world passeth away.”

SS. JONAS, BARACHISIUS, AND THEIR COMPANIONS, MARTYRS.

KING SAPOR, of Persia, in the eighteenth year of his reign, raised a bloody persecution against the Christians, and laid waste their churches and monasteries. Jonas and Barachisius, two brothers of the city Beth-Asa, hearing that several Christians lay under sentence of death at Hubaham, went thither to encourage and serve them. Nine of that number received the crown of martyrdom. After their execution, Jonas and Barachisius were apprehended for having exhorted them to die. The president entreated the two brothers to obey the King of Persia, and to worship the sun, moon, fire, and water. Their answer was, that it was more reasonable to obey the immortal King of heaven and earth than a mortal prince. Jonas was beaten with knotty clubs and with rods, and next set in a frozen pond, with a cord tied to his foot. Barachisius had two red-hot iron plates and two red-hot hammers applied under each arm, and melted lead dropped into his nostrils and eyes; after which, he was carried to prison, and there hung up by one foot. Despite these cruel tortures, the two brothers remained steadfast in the faith. New and more horrible torments were then devised, under which, at last, they yielded up their lives, while their pure souls winged their flight to heaven, there to gain the martyr’s crown which they had so faithfully won.

REFLECTION: Those powerful motives which supported the martyrs under the sharpest torments ought to inspire us with patience, resignation, and holy joy under sickness and all crosses or trials. Nothing is more heroic in the practice of Christian virtue, nothing more precious in the sight of God, than the sacrifice of patience, submission, constant fidelity, and charity in a state of suffering.

WORD OF THE DAY

STABAT MATER. A hymn, "At the Cross her station keeping ." commonly attributed to Jacopone da Todi (1230-1306), Franciscan poet. It gradually came into liturgical use by the late Middle Ages and since 1727 has been part of the Eucharistic liturgy and the Divine Office for the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. Its history in music dates largely from modern times. Another hymn, Stabat Mater Speciosa, apparently modeled on Stabat Mater Dolorosa, describing Mary’s sorrows at Bethlehem, but it has never become part of the liturgy.

Modern Catholic Dictionary, Fr. John Hardon SJ (Get the real one at Eternal Life — don’t accept an abridged or edited version of this masterpiece!)

HOLY WEEK MEDITATIONS

Special meditations focused on Holy Week: PALM SUNDAY

LENT MEDITATION DAY 40

Enjoy daily meditations this lent from Fr. Richard Clarke, SJ. Short and powerful, written in 1880 for busy lay people to reap rewards through lent. (includes audio): Lent Day 40: The Sixth Sunday in Lent — Jesus Commends His Disciples to His Holy Mother’s Care.

March is the Month of St. Joseph

Daily devotional meditations on Saint Joseph: March 29th — St. Joseph’s Happy Death.