Tonight Sister Mary Claire and I listened to Bishop Barron’s homily right before bed, and it made the room feel very still and serious, like when the church goes quiet during the Passion reading. Mini was curled up close beside us and looked so sleepy, but I was trying hard to listen to every word.
Bishop Barron talked about Palm Sunday being called Passion Sunday too, because we hear the whole sad story of what happened to Jesus. What stayed with me most was what he said about Judas. I always think of Judas as the one who betrayed Our Lord, and that is true, but tonight I kept thinking about how sorry he was afterward. It made me feel such a strange sadness inside, because it showed me that sin is awful, but also that God’s mercy is bigger than we can understand.
Sister Mary Claire said that even when people go very wrong, God still pursues them with mercy. I liked that word pursues. It made me think of Jesus not turning away, but still calling, still loving, still wanting the sinner to come back. Even the worst sinner is not forgotten by Him. That made me feel comforted, because if Our Lord is that merciful, then I should never be afraid to run back to Him with my little faults and failings.
Palm Sunday feels both beautiful and sorrowful to me. The palms are joyful, but the Passion is so heavy. Tonight it seemed to me that Jesus walked right into all that suffering with His Heart open. And even in the middle of betrayal and sadness, His mercy was still there.
After the homily, I said my evening prayer and tried to tell Jesus I was sorry for every time I have been careless in loving Him. I asked Him to keep me close this Holy Week and not let me wander far away.
Evening Prayer
Dear Jesus,
thank You for letting me listen to words tonight that made me think about Your mercy.
Please have mercy on me too, and on everyone who feels far away from You.
Keep Sister Mary Claire and little Mini safe through the night,
and help me stay near Your Heart all through Holy Week.
Amen.
Love, Kathy
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