from Tom Primmer, Director of Youth Faith Formation at Our Lady’s:
This weekend we begin Holy Week. There is so much drama packed into this one weekend of the Church year. What starts out with tones of triumphant celebration, quickly comes crashing down with somberness and dismay.
When we hear the word, “passion,” the first thing that comes to mind most likely isn’t a triumphant beginning followed by a seemingly tragic end. We might be more inclined to think of “having a passion for something or someone. Passion for something could be a hobby, work, or favorite pastime. Passion for someone might include romantic overtones, but could also include a deep love, care & concern for, which doesn’t necessarily need to incorporate romantic overtones.
This later sense is what the “Lord’s Passion” is all about. Jesus, (God in the flesh) has such a deep love, care, and concern for us that he (Jesus) is willing to suffer on our behalf so that the gap between us can be repaired.
The Lord’s Passion is the love story between a Creator and the created, how the created broke it’s connection to the Creator and how the Creator became like one of the created in order to repair the broken relationship, so that the created may enjoy the original and eternal bond it was meant to experience.
When you reflect on the Lord’s Passion this week ask yourself, “What does it say about my value as a person that the Creator of all that was, is and is to come, has such a deep love, care and concern for me, such that he would endure such unthinkable suffering?”
What does it mean to accept this gift freely? Remember the gift wasn’t free, it did cost something, however like most gifts that are given, it is given freely in love.
Pray with me: Merciful Lord, thank you for your deep love, care, and concern for me as your beloved. Help me to ponder in my heart this passion of yours so that I may live into the relationship you are calling me toward. In Jesus name. Amen.