Hosanna in the Highest!
Parishes across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains have begun the holiest week in the Catholic Church’s calendar during the commemoration of Palm Sunday.
During a break in the rain, parishioners young and old at Corpus Christi Parish, Cranebrook, re-enacted Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem by waving palm fronds at their 9.30am Mass, before processing into the church.
A parishioner holds up a palm frond during the Commemoration of Palm Sunday at Corpus Christi Parish, Cranebrook. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
“As we begin this procession, remembering what took place in the life of Jesus, let us reflect on the fact that no matter who we are, no matter what we have done, the Lord hasn’t abandoned us,” Parish Priest, Fr Chris Antwi-Boasiako told the congregation.
“Sometimes, because of our own failings, because of our lack of love and mercy, we feel that we don’t deserve the presence of the Lord. Because of that, sometimes, even coming to church or praying, we may find something difficult or challenging for us.
“Today, as the Lord said to his apostles, He says to us that He needs us. The Lord values us and He wants us to come to Him. The Lord wants us to experience His presence and His love, all the days of our lives.”
Parish Priest Fr Chris Antwi-Boasiako proclaims the Gospel during the Commemoration of Palm Sunday at Corpus Christi Parish, Cranebrook. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
In his homily, Fr Chris explained that the proclamation of the Passion of Christ according to the Gospel of Matthew sets the tone for us throughout the rest of Holy Week.
“The Passion is both a spiritual and physical journey. The physical journey starts in Bethany in the house of Simon, the leper, and ends somewhere in Jerusalem in a tomb,” he explained, adding that the Passion narrative helps us learn about life itself and our journey with the Lord.
“From Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, it is important that we value the life of all human persons, because no monetary value can be put on the life of any human person. This calls us to learn to value human life and to refrain from doing anything that destroys it.
Parish Priest Fr Chris Antwi-Boasiako consecrates the Eucharist during the Commemoration of Palm Sunday at Corpus Christi Parish, Cranebrook. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
“The actions of the chief priests, the elders and the Sanhedrin in putting Jesus to death despite having no tangible fault on His part, at times, these things will be done to us in the name of religion, in the name of the faith we hold so dear.
“God the Father did not abandon Jesus in His hour of death, but the testimony of the centurion made manifest that Jesus was the Son of God.
“We live in the hope of Jesus’ Resurrection on the third day. This gives us the assurance that His Passion does not signal His death, but rather, His glorification, which we will celebrate with joy and gratitude on Easter Sunday.
“As we journey through Holy Week, may the Holy Spirit assist us to have a deeper understanding of Christ’s Passion and Resurrection.”
Parishioners are seen during the Commemoration of Palm Sunday at Corpus Christi Parish, Cranebrook. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Parishioners of 13 years, Vanessa and David, told Catholic Outlook that Palm Sunday is a big time for them and their family.
“It brings the community together, it’s nice to see,” David said.
Vanessa added, “we’ll try and take back the things that Fr Chris tells us in his homilies and embed that into our lives. We’ve got three young kids, so it’s important that we take that back into our everyday lives.”
You are invited to join your local faith community this Holy Week in celebrating Christ’s journey from death to new life.
Find your closest Mass and Liturgy time by visiting catholicoutlook.org/holyweek2023
View images from the Palm Sunday commemorations at Corpus Christi Parish, Cranebrook here or below:
