So they took the colt to Jesus and, throwing their cloaks on its back, they lifted Jesus on to it.
As he moved off, they spread
their cloaks in the road, and now, as he was approaching
the downward slope of the Mount of Olives, the whole group
of disciples joyfully began to praise God at the top of
their voices for all the miracles they had seen. They cried
out: Blessed is he who is coming as King in the name of the
Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest
heavens!
Lauda Deum tu-um, Sion.
Hosanna, hosanna, Hosanna Filio David.
There is the joy of Jesus
entering Jerusalem and getting an enthusiastic welcome from
the crowds. "Hosanna
to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of
the Lord." Words we continue to sing
during the Eucharistic Prayer at every
Mass:
Song:
'Holy
Holy' (
from the Israeli Mass)
Period
of silent Adoration of our King.
Song:
'Glory
and Praise to our God'
|
Laying of Branches |
Reading 2 Is 53: 2-5
He had no form or charm to attract us, no beauty to win our hearts; He was despised, the lowest of men, a man of sorrows, familiar with suffering, one from whom, as it were, we averted our gaze, despised, for whom we had no regard. Yet ours were the sufferings he was bearing, ours the sorrows he was carrying, while we thought of him as someone being punished and struck with affliction by God; whereas he was being wounded for our rebellions, crushed because of our guilt; the punishment reconciling us fell on him, and we have been healed by his bruises.
Period of silent Adoration of our King, the Suffering
Servant.
We are challenged to
"Let
the same mind be in you which was in Christ
Jesus." Though Jesus was in the form of
God, he "emptied"
himself, and went
down to the lowest depths of degradation and humiliation,
dying naked and as a convicted criminal.
Song:
'Who
can sound the depths of sorrow?'
Reading
3
Mk 14: 32-40
They came to a plot of land
called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Stay here
while I pray." Then he took Peter and James and John with
him. And he began to feel terror and anguish. And he
said to them, "My soul is sorrowful to the point of death.
Wait here, and stay awake." And going on a little further
he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were
possible, this hour might pass him by. “Abba,
Father!” he said, “For you everything is
possible. Take this cup away from me. But let it be as you,
not I, would have it.” He came back and found them
sleeping, and he said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Had
you not the strength to stay awake one hour? Stay
awake and pray not to be put to the test. The spirit is
willing enough, but human nature is weak." Again he went
away and prayed, saying the same words. And once more he
came back and found them sleeping, their eyes were so
heavy; and they could find no answer for
him.
Period of silent Adoration of our King, who begs for our
support.
Song (softly):
'I
surrender all'
Reading
4
The measure of Jesus' s love
for us, the laying down his life for his friends, is an
expression of God's love for us. Because of the intensity
of the love Jesus showed he is swept up into the glory of
God, so that we, too, may follow. But, on the way, we too
have to be ready to empty ourselves in love for him and to
be totally at the service of our brothers and sisters in
the same spirit of caring.
Period of silent Adoration of our King, who loves us so
much.
Can
we love him in return?
Song:
'Enfold me in your love'
Sharing
and prayers
Vocation
Prayer
O Lord Jesus, you said to
your disciples,
“The
harvest is great, but the labourers are
few,
So
ask the Lord of the harvest
to
send labourers into his harvest”.
In
your love and mercy you came on earth
so
that all may come to know,
love
and serve God.
We
humbly beg you
to
show your church in the Gambia
the
spirit you gave to your apostles.
Lord,
bless our Christian families,
and
grant that from them may come
an
abundance of workers for your vineyard.
May
the Holy Spirit inspire our young people
To
answer the call to become
priests,
brothers and sisters in your service.
May
all those who answer to your call
persevere
and remain faithful to you
to
be zealous in your service.
O
Lord, give us our own priests.
O
Lord, give us our own sisters.
O
Lord, give us our own brothers.
Mary,
Mother of priests and religious,
Pray
for us. Amen
Recite
together
Phil
2: 6-11
Final
Song:
'Only
a Shadow'
Br. Eamonn MacLochlainn (the Gambia)