Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion March 20, 2005 Scripture: Isaiah 50:4-7; Philippians 2:6-11; Matthew 26:14-27:66 Reflection: I gave my back to those who beat me…coming in human likeness…he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” Jesus, our human brother, is our icon of reconciliation – of reaching out in love to those whom he knew would turn on him. It is an unthinkable reality to go willingly and sit at the table of bread and life with your trusted friends, knowing they are your betrayers to be. Jesus not only stayed at the table but freely gave them his very self. The price of this kind of reconciliation is more than humans can bear to imagine. As persons baptized into the death and resurrection of Jesus, it is our highest calling: to sit at table with our betrayers. Can we even dream this… Americans with Iraqis; Jews and Muslims with Christians; estranged families who have nothing left in common. This is the kingdom we are called to build. Suggested Action: Prayerfully imagine willingly sitting at table with those we dislike and know dislike us; prayerfully imagine offering and accepting the bread of our lives to each other as Jesus did. Sr. Denise Lyon, IHM Cresco, Pennsylvania

Graphic: Sr. Cecilia Yeon Tji, IHM