Parish priest: Fr. Tom Wynne. Tel/Fax: 01397-712-238 Mobile: 07879297420
e-mail:frtom@rcroybridge.co.uk Parish web site: www.rcroybridge.co.uk
Blessed Mary MacKillop web site: www.gaeldom.com/mmk
Weekly Bulletin Online: www.gaeldom.com/bulletin
RC Diocese of Argyll & the Isles  Charity Registration No. SC002876

Next Sunday is Palm Sunday

and the beginning of Holy week

In a world that is becoming ever more secular and pagan, Holy week will probably go unnoticed by the vast majority of people. Sadly, there is an indifference to religion nowadays. What Our Lord suffered in the cruelty of his Passion and Death for mankind is irrelevant to so many.

We as Christians must not allow ourselves to be influenced by the pressures of the world around us, for it is only by putting God at the very centre of our lives that we find meaning to life. By allowing our faith to direct our lives, we can try to show to others that what they are seeking from a material world can never fulfil the depth and longing in their hearts.  St. Augustine found this out after a long period of being immersed in a pagan society that sought only  pleasure in everything. He summoned it up so beautifully: “O Lord, you made us for yourself, and our hearts will not be at rest until they rest in thee”.

On the day of the crucifixion,  Jerusalem went about its worldly ways, while Jesus was led out to his death. The people, through fear, had denounced him, and even his apostles deserted him, except the youngest, St. John.

The power and pride of the high priest and his associates had been seriously undermined by the influence that Jesus had on the people through the love and concern he had for them, and the many miracles he performed to heal their sick in mind and body. His gentleness and humility clashed with the  arrogance and power-driven priests of the temple. The only means for them to achieve dominance of the people once again was to get rid of Jesus, and this they did by accusing him falsely before Pilate. Although Pilate could find no fault with Jesus, he succumbed to the pressure of the Sanhedrin and condemned him to death. Further still, he agreed to their demand that Jesus be crucified, a death which was reserved  for the worst criminals.

May each family in our parish show their solidarity  and loyalty to Jesus during the liturgy of Holy week, by being present at the services on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil—so that we may truly rejoice with him on Easter Sunday when he rose triumphantly from the dead, and promised eternal life to all who love him and are faithful to him in this world.