FARFIELD— Holy Week invites us to see Jesus not with the eyes of the world but through the eyes of faith, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano said in his homily for the Mass for Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion.
The bishop celebrated his weekly online Mass from St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Fairfield. He was assisted by Fr. Victor Martin, Pastor and Fr Larry Larson, Parochial Vicar.
“Perhaps you and I at times look at our life, our circumstances, and our work through the eyes of the world, and this week is meant for us to clear that vision. To remember through whose eyes we should live, move, see, and have our being. It is easy to fall prey to voices around us, to live life in a way other than what Christ asks us,” the bishop said.
In addition to “celebrating anew the great mystery of our redemption,” Palm Sunday offers an opportunity to better understand what Christ is asking of us as his followers, he said.
After reading the account of the Passion in the Gospel of Mark (15:1-39), Bishop Caggiano explained that in his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus was given a welcome that was reserved for Caesar, who had “conquered nations and subjected people.”
The strewing of palms was a symbol of Caesar’s earthly power and authority.
Those who welcomed Jesus with palms judged him “with the eyes of the world,” because they mistakenly expected Jesus to overthrow civil authority. They believed that “conquest and brutality should be meet with military conquest and more brutality. Violence begets violence,” the bishop said.
“That is not why Jesus came to Jerusalem. He came to bring another form of power that meets conquest and brutality with forgiveness and mercy, and allows the world a better way, a divine way to live,” he said.
Holy Week extends the same challenge to us as it did in the time of Jesus. He does not promise earthly victory, but asks us to accompany him to Calvary and not to run away as the apostles did.
“The path is not easy. We cannot escape suffering. Whoever dares to love must dare to be willing to suffer. It is the only path that leads to the empty tomb and that leads us to eternal life.”
The bishop said Holy Week invites us to reenact the great mysteries of our faith, and to remember that “what was begun in the Upper Room” is the same sacrifice Jesus offers his believers today.
The bishop concluded his homily by noting that each year the palms blessed today that are unused palms will be gathered and burned to make the ashes of next Lent “as a sign of our faith and the promises that truly matter, and they are not the promise and ways of the world.”
“And when the smoke clears we see life as it is truly meant to be seen. We have that opportunity again during these days of our redemption. Let us use them well so that when the risen Lord appears in our midst. We will be able to see him, follow him and give him honor and glory now and forever.”
Bishop’s Holy Week Schedule
BRIDGEPORT– For the second year in a row, the bishop’s Masses and liturgies throughout Holy Week will be live-streamed from the St. Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport.
This year’s Masses will also permit in-person attendance. However, registration is advance is required for all those who wish to attend, and seating remains limited as a result of Covd-19 safety restrictions.
Bishop’s Live-Streamed Holy Week Masses:
Palm Sunday—March 28
Online (only) Mass—8 am
Holy Thursday—April 1
Chrism Mass—10 am
Mass of the Lord’s Supper—7 pm
Good Friday—April 2
Celebration of the Passion of the Lord
3 pm
Easter Vigil Mass—April 3
Mass—8 pm
St. Augustine Cathedral is located at 399 Washington Avenue in Bridgeport. Anyone interested in attending in person must register on the Cathedral website: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/cathedralparish. The Chrism Mass is using a tiered registration system, open to priests, then deacons followed by the curia.
For online viewing, visit the diocese website: www.bridgeportdiocese.com
