March 24, 2024 - One Bread, One Body

March 24, Passion (Palm) Sunday

Cycle B Readings:
1) Mark 11:1-10 or John 12:12-16 (Entrance Processional)
Psalm 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24
2) Isaiah 50:4-7
Mark 14:1—15:47
Philippians 2:6-11

"Oh say, can you see?"

“All who see Me scoff at Me.” —Psalm 22:8

Although the crowd’s acclamation of “Hosanna” (Mk 11:9) would soon change to furious shouts of “Crucify Him” (Mk 15:13), Jesus loved each person in the crowd. Jesus has eyes of love to see each person, both from the vantage point atop the donkey and that of hanging from the cross. Jesus knew that He could not be swayed by the temporary acclamation of human praise (Jn 2:25; Jn 5:41-42). He had His face set like flint to proceed to Calvary (Is 50:7), but His heart was not hard; it was full of love for the broken and wounded (Mt 9:36).

Jesus’ eyes have always been looking at us (Ps 33:13-15, 18), searching the world. The Lord Jesus looks for all who would worship Him in spirit and in truth (Jn 4:23-24). Yet for a time during His Passion, His eyes were blinded as His Precious Blood covered His face. Nevertheless, Jesus fixed His eyes on you as He died to save you.

Will you fix your eyes on Jesus? (Heb 3:1) Will you look upon the Crucified One? Holy Week is the time to look at Jesus, as He truly is, the Suffering Servant Who gave His body and blood for you. It’s not automatic that a disciple fixes his or her eyes on Jesus. Judas took his eyes off Jesus during Holy Week. Fix your eyes on Jesus.

Prayer: Father, today I make a covenant with my eyes (Jb 31:1) to gaze daily upon Jesus (Ps 27:4).

Promise: At Jesus’ name every knee must bend in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father: JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!” —Phil 2:10-11

Praise: “You who fear the Lord, praise Him; all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to Him” (Ps 22:24).

Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Imprimatur ("Permission to Publish") for One Bread, One Body covering the period from February 1, 2024, through March 31, 2024. †Most Reverend Steve J. Angi,  Chancellor, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 7, 2023."

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.