Passion Sunday

Lord, on this day, as we recall your entrance into Jerusalem, we listen to the cheers of the crowds who welcomed you, singing, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heavens!”

We recognise our own voices among these people, especially in the moments when we recognised your face in the faces of others; the faces of our families and friends.

Compassionate Jesus, we are among those preparing the way for you, in the moments of our lives when we show compassion to the lonely, the sick, the drug addict and the stranger whom we encounter in our streets.

Loving Jesus, we rejoice in your loving presence as we recall your entrance into Jerusalem; as we lovingly share the resources we have with those who experience poverty in our developing world, with people who lack the opportunity for education, and those for whom hunger is a daily experience.

Merciful Jesus, as we recall your passion and death, we ask for your mercy and forgiveness. We acknowledge the moments in which we have added our voices to those who cried, “Crucify him”. These are the moments in which we have closed our hearts to those stricken with AIDS in Africa, or when we have become numb to the cries of hunger from people who lack the resources to feed themselves and their families.

Let us pray

Lord, through our reflection on your Word today, give us the grace once again to open our eyes and our hearts to all who experience suffering in our world, and be to them an expression of your compassion and love.