Dear Holy Trinity Family,

As Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord unfolds the commemoration of the Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem, there are two gospels we hear today – a short gospel and a long Gospel. The short gospel according to Matthew (Year A) is read before the procession and the long gospel, the gospel of the passion of the Lord (Matthew in Year A), is read with the part of Jesus, Speaker, Narrator and Assembly. Entering the city of Jerusalem, Jesus claimed his throne of kingship to serve, not to rule. We clearly remember Him saying “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45) Our Lenten practices have prepared us to learn how to serve God and our neighbors. Following the teaching and example of Jesus, we must do as Jesus did for us. Because imitation of Jesus is not a choice but a must to all Christians. “No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:40) Let us bring our Lenten observance to its completion as the Church begins Holy Week.

Tomorrow all Los Angeles priests gathering at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels with Archbishop José Gomez and all auxiliar bishops will concelebrate the Chrism Mass for the blessing of the sacred oils and the renewal of priestly commitment. Traditionally, the Chrism Mass takes place on Holy Thursday morning; however, our Archdiocese is so big geographically that it is very difficult to those priests whose ministries are in Northern part of California to attend the Chrism Mass in the morning of Holy Thursday. For this reason, it is customary that Archdiocese of Los Angeles always has celebrated her Chrism Mass on Monday, instead of Holy Thursday. Then, a question is why the Chrism Mass needs to be celebrated on Holy Thursday? The answer is that during the Last Supper, Jesus conferred the role of priesthood upon His apostles, empowering them to lead the Church and administer sacraments. Holy Thursday marks the moment when Jesus shared His final meal with His disciples, instituting the Eucharist with the command, "Do this in memory of me" (Luke 22:19). This act is seen as the foundation of the Mass and the priesthood.

In Holy Week, Holy Triduum, the climax of the Paschal Mystery, is not three days of different celebrations. It is one big celebration with three very different parts. Holy Thursday focuses on the Lord’s Supper; Good Friday the Passion of the Lord; Holy Saturday the Easter Vigil in the holy night. As a sacrificial lamb, Jesus offered His life on the Cross to reconcile us to God the Father and to open the gate of heaven. By His resurrection, Jesus conquered the power of death. “Shout joyfully to God, all you on earth; sing of his glorious name; give him glorious praise!” (Psalm 66:2)

Blessings,

Fr. Brian