The Beginning of Holy Week: Palm Sunday
This past week we first discussed "standing out" at work, then ruminated about those times when things don't go our way. For most of us, life has a way of mixing great success with disappointment and failure. That's certainly been the case in my life. Maybe that's been your experience too. There are two contrasting phrases that capture this well: "victory snatched from the jaws of defeat," and, "defeat snatched from the jaws of victory." While we all prefer the former, the latter usually isn't far behind. Palm Sunday reminds us that we're not alone here. It gives us the greatest example of defeat snatched form the jaws of victory. Our Lord rode into Jerusalem to an adoring crowd shouting "Hosannahs." Within a week he was arrested, tortured, and hung on a Cross. It certainly puts the ups and downs of our lives in perspective. Our liturgy reflects this as it begins with the procession of the palms, accompanied w...