Palm Sunday

Isaiah 50 : 4 - 7

...to know the word that sustains the weary...wakens my ear...I set my face like flint...

A wonderful description of the mission and ministry of Jesus. One who has always listened to his Father, waited upon his Father for everything and describes his 'food' as doing the will of his Father. And today, we recall his entry into Jerusalem - to obediently fulfill his mission, the mission given by his Father.

I am drawn by Jesus' lifelong stance of always listening with an 'awakened' ear to his Father. He did nothing of his own accord, neither did he give in to the temptation of his personal agenda (prayerfully rejecting Satan's temptation in the desert). At this stage he 'sets his face like flint' - utterly dedicated to what he is called to do out of love. He shares his Father's love for and desire to redeem the creation.

As we near the end of our Lenten journey, what have we learnt about God, about ourselves? What have been the challenges to grow, to shed whatever does not help our growing intimacy with our loving Father? The next few days, as we journey with Jesus to his final moments, might be graced times to further contemplate Christ, and to ask him to reveal his mind and heart to us, this time in the context of his passion and death. May the Lord help us.