Passion Sunday

Also known as Palm Sunday.

I lectored today. As we used the dialogue option for the Passion narrative from Saint Luke, I actually both proclaimed the Gospel title (“The Passion according to Saint Luke”) and the final versicle (“The Gospel of the Lord”). Normally, these (and indeed, all Gospel readings) are reserved to the Priest or Deacon.

[liturgical geek moment]

So it was kind of neat.

[/liturgical geek moment]

The Passion Narratives are incredibly powerful readings to hear proclaimed. I don’t think that reading them privately really conveys the same immediacy, the same emotional punch.

It helps, of course, that you’ve got a crowd of people shouting “Crucify him!”

So Holy Week begins.

I heard a chunk of the Pope’s homily today, and he said something that I’m still chewing through.

What we are talking about here is the fundamental decision to no longer consider utility and gain, career and success as the ultimate goal of life, but to recognize truth and love instead as the authentic criteria. We are talking about the choice between living for myself and giving myself — for what is greater. And let us understand that truth and love are not abstract values; in Jesus Christ they have become a person. Following him, I enter into the service of truth and love. Losing myself, I find myself. (emphasis mine)

The Incarnation is an easy concept to explain, even to one’s self, but perhaps more difficult to internalize. I’ve never heard it explained quite this way, and it strikes me deeply.

We pretty much lived the Benedictine motto today. First ora, then labora: groceries, gardening, painting, vacuuming, and some other random chores.

I’m currently enjoying a lovely merlot following dinner, and will presently finish folding some laundry and then to Compline, and perhaps to write.

A most satisfying day.