We Are All Connected to Each Other

 

Deacon Kevin Gingras

April 13, 2025

Palm Sunday

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041325.cfm

Procession with palms: Luke 19:28-40

Isaiah 50:4-7   Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24

Philippians 2:6-11    Luke 22:14—23:56

And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’  Mathew 25:40

When praying about today’s Gospel that scripture verse would not get out of my head.  It was clear the Holy Spirit was nudging me.  I didn’t know why at first but after praying over it I realized I live some days like today's Gospel storyline.

I wake up, praise God for the day, and thank Him for keeping me safe through the night.  As I prepare for the day I keep God on my mind, in prayer and thanksgiving.  Jesus is my King for the day, I’m throwing my cloak on the road for Him! Blessed is the King and all that!  Next, I get in my car, I start the rosary and then it all falls apart as I merge onto Route 24 and head to work.  Crucify Him! Crucify Him! I think as that person cuts me off on the road or tailgates me as I drive in the middle lane.

and the Lord turned and looked at Peter; and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.  He went out and began to weep bitterly.

I get into the office and I do a "sort of" spiritual reset. I recite the Liturgy of the Hours and morning prayer, and then I set my eyes on God again.  I get a new task to work on, it’s from that person that just really annoys me - the cycle starts again!  Now I know why that scripture came to me so quickly:

And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’

I’m not really living up to what Paul writes to the Philippians (2:5):

Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus

Through the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, we are all connected to Jesus, even those who deny Him.  Therefore, if we are all connected to Jesus, then we are all connected to each other.

As we begin Holy Week let us put ourselves aside and truly strive to love everyone we encounter this week on our way towards the Triduum.  

As Saint John the Apostle said: 

No one can love God whom they have not seen if they do not love their brother who they have seen.