Love summarizes the meaning of Holy Week

Intermountain Catholic

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A girl raises her cross made of palm fronds at St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish in Midvale on Palm Sunday April 5. The palms ?remind us we are called to welcome Jesus into our hearts,? said Father Omar Ontiveros, parochial vicar of the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City. Some people keep the crosses at home or in their cars.IC photo by Priscilla Cabral

SALT LAKE CITY — The liturgy for Palm Sunday started, at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican and in every Catholic parish and cathedral in the world, with the procession of people carrying palms to commemorate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

The palms "remind us we are called to welcome Jesus into our hearts," said Father Omar Ontiveros, parochial vicar of the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City, during an interview with the Intermountain Catholic April 6.

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, during which we celebrate the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ.

"We get prepared to start our way to the most important moments in Jesus’ life," said Fr. Ontiveros.

Palm Sunday Mass started with a jubilant tone but the ambiance changed during the lecture of the Passion according to Saint Mark, which recounted Jesus’ betrayal by Judas Iscariot, Jesus’ trial, and his condemnation to death on a cross.

"The message of the Passion is one of the strongest ones in our faith because it tells us about the great love the Father had toward humanity when he sent us his son. The cross represents the instrument of salvation for all Christians" said Fr. Ontiveros.

The narrative of Christ’s Passion ends when he is laid in a tomb. But Holy Week ends with the celebration of his Resurrection on Easter.

To live and understand Easter’s message, we should pray and share as a family the Friday of Holy Week and Easter Vigil liturgical celebrations. We should also understand that the word that summarizes the events during Holy Week is "love," said Fr. Ontiveros.

"On Thursday of Holy Week, Jesus stays with us through the eucharistic bread and washes his disciples’ feet to demonstrate his love and service to others. On Friday of Holy Week, Jesus shows us his love during his Passion. And, on Easter Sunday, our Father brings Jesus back to life because he loves us," he said.

"The principle of love, which is at the heart of the Christian faith and is exemplified in Christ’s crucifixion, demands a more universal vision that looks outward and not just inward," said Pope Benedict XVI on Palm Sunday at St. Peter’s Square. This principle of love should be part of our daily lives "through our service, forgiveness, and behavior toward others," said Fr. Ontiveros.