“Menagerie, I am not Roman Catholic nor associated with any church denomination. I study the Bible under Pre-Tribulation Dispensational teachings. I find nothing in Bishop Barron’s homily that disagrees with what I understand about our Father and His will, His Grace, and His agapé love for us, and His Son Jesus Christ.”This is an exceptionally good message that universally applies to all Christians. Thank you for posting it this Palm Sunday morning.
When Jesus and his disciples drew near to Jerusalem,
to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives,
he sent two of his disciples and said to them,
“Go into the village opposite you,
and immediately on entering it,
you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat.
Untie it and bring it here.
If anyone should say to you,
‘Why are you doing this?’ reply,
‘The Master has need of it
and will send it back here at once.’”
So they went off
and found a colt tethered at a gate outside on the street,
and they untied it.
Some of the bystanders said to them,
“What are you doing, untying the colt?”
They answered them just as Jesus had told them to,
and they permitted them to do it.
So they brought the colt to Jesus
and put their cloaks over it.
And he sat on it.
Many people spread their cloaks on the road,
and others spread leafy branches
that they had cut from the fields.
Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out:
“Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!
Hosanna in the highest!”
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise him above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Amen.
Ephesians 1:3
Amen.
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest
Break my heart for what breaks yours…
Thank you, for reminding me why life is good. To share in his need of it!!
Amen
On Palm Sunday for me the flesh says do something stop Him, but this is His preordained journey set by the Father for all mankind taking sin with Him one only need repent and ask. Beautiful!
Blessed be our Lord Jesus Christ.
Imagine your local church filled with people allowing His word to change themselves rather than using His word to try changing others.
Before reacting to that, ponder it.
Thank you, Menagerie.
Menagerie,
I’ve always been deeply moved by this account of Jesus’ journey to the Cross.
Jesus, Creator of the universe, and the King of all kings, chose this humble beast of burden to make His entrance into Jerusalem.
Not riding a white stallion or golden chariot, but a lowly donkey.
We praise You, dear Lord…
(Jesus)
“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross.”
Philippians 2:8
Thank you Jesus
He chose to drink the cup of God’s wrath and fury which belonged to us! He paid a debt He didn’t owe, so we would be set free. Let us NOT now make light of His sacrifice for us, but rather, show our gratitude by living a life worthy of His sacrifice for us on that cross.
William Walsham How, English Anglican Bishop (1823–1897) was known as the “Poor Man’s Bishop” for his work with the poor and industrial workers.
How also wrote over fifty hymns, and once said:
“A good hymn is something like a good prayer — simple, real, earnest, and reverent.”
His hymn, “It Is A Thing Most Wonderful,” includes meaningful words to ponder this Easter season.
May God minister to you today, encouraging with His bountiful love!
(A little long, but too good to shorten …)
“It Is A Thing Most Wonderful”
1 It is a thing most wonderful,
almost too wonderful to be,
that God’s own Son should come from heav’n,
and die to save a child like me.
2 And yet I know that it is true:
He chose a poor and humble lot,
and wept and toiled and mourned and died
for love of those who loved Him not.
3 I cannot tell how He could love
a child so weak and full of sin;
His love must be most wonderful
if He could die my love to win.
4 I sometimes think about the cross,
and shut my eyes, and try to see
the cruel nails and crown of thorns,
and Jesus crucified for me.
5 But even could I see Him die,
I could but see a little part
of that great love which, like a fire,
is always burning in His heart.
6 It is most wonderful to know
His love for me so free and sure;
but ’tis more wonderful to see
my love for Him so faint and poor.
7 And yet I want to love Thee, Lord;
O light the flame within my heart,
and I will love Thee more and more,
until I see Thee as Thou art.
Thank you Menagerie for the post and the Bishop Baron video. His message is very appropriate as we begin Holy week that culminates in Jesus defeating sin, death and his resurrection. All “gifts” are from God and we are obligated to use them to His purposes.
This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success!
Psalm 24-25
Hosanna in the highest!
Such a wonderful ‘hit the spot’ message.
First saw this Bishop in a recent interview he and Dr. Jordan Peterson did; apparently they are going to do a series of conversations.
The internet does have its bright spots! Happy Palm Sunday everyone.
Happiness in Christ our lord and savior to you
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/431-the-true-stories-that-drive-spiritual-growth/id1184022695?i=1000649242681
Jordan Peterson and Bishop Barron
As Christians, we’re all familiar with Palm Sunday, but did you know that in the time of Jesus, the Sunday before Passover was “lamb selection day?” ……… it was the day that Jewish families would come to the temple in Jerusalem and choose their “perfect lamb” for the Passover. Then, the family would bring the lamb home to live with them, knowing that within a few days, their new pet would be slaughtered for the Passover meal (Exodus 12:3,5,6).
Lamb Selection Day
https://www2.cbn.com/devotions/lamb-selection-day
He did nothing without purpose to let those who can see, see and those who can hear, hear…..
We are here to learn and grow.
We are here to serve and share.
Thank you, Jesus, for Your sacrifice for mankind.
Thank you, Menagerie, for spreading the message.
Almighty ever-living God, who as an example of humility for the human race to follow caused our Savior to take flesh and submit to the Cross, graciously grant that we may heed his lesson of patient suffering and so merit a share in his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen
The Donkey
When fishes flew and forests walked
And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood
Then surely I was born.
With monstrous head and sickening cry
And ears like errant wings,
The devil’s walking parody
On all four-footed things.
The tattered outlaw of the earth
Of ancient crooked will;
Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,
I keep my secret still.
Fools! I also had my hour;
One far fierce hour and sweet:
There was a shout about my ears,
And palms before my feet.
~GK Chesterton~
🫏♥️🙏🌴🌞
Another story about that precious donkey:
https://www.maryhasalittlefarm.org/post/pete-and-the-legend-of-the-jerusalem-donkey
Thank you, girl 🙏🏻🕊
Thank you, Aggiegirl for this wonderful post. We have full sized burros, but often visit a ranch nearby with miniatures – so exquisite are they. 🫏
That is so sweet, thank you.
Many thanks again, Betsy
Love,
Lordy, Anabel, Louisa, and May. ❤️ 🫏 🫏 🫏 🫏
It is so sweet, sis, I didn’t want anyone to miss it. Bless those of your precious much loved family now in the care of St Francis I have no doubt🕊 Bless you, especially, my sweet friend…and them, always
Thank you!
May I return this poem for a possible exchange?
One of my favorite saints and a compatriot of yours-St John Henry Newman:
Firmly I believe and truly
God is three and God is one;
And I next acknowledge duly
Manhood take by His Son.
And I trust and hope most fully
In that manhood crucified;
And I love supremely, solely
Christ who for my sins has died.
And I hold in veneration,
For the love of Him alone,
Holy Church as His creation,
And her teachings as His own.
Praise and thanks be ever given
With and through the angel host,
To the God of earth and heaven,
Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Sadly, the pope and bishops are crucifying His Mystical body- the Church in these times we are in.
Have a blessed Holy Week!
video fyi from my pastor
https://www.remnant-tv.com/video/1088/passiontide-the-crucifixion-of-the-catholic-church?channelName=RemnantTV
Oh how lovely, dear Quoheleth. The simplicity of it is the beauty. Nothing more need be added. My Book of Common Prayer is my most precious possession for the uplifting language which flows through it. And for that reason this poem has gone straight to my heart. Bless you for sharing it in anticipation of the most sorrowful day but the most joyful to come.
I looked for a message from Archbishop Viganò for Palm Sunday but couldn’t find one. His voice and the voice of Almighty God Who I am convinced speaks through him would have meant the world to me..to all of us today…
I pray for his safety 🙏🏻🕊
Blessings eternally I pray for you, dear friend 🙏🏻
TY. I’ll look for the message as well.
God bless & reward you.
And you always, Quoheleth🙏🏻
🥰 🙏
For Holy Week: The Seven Last Statements of Christ * by French composer Theodore Dubois.
Gorgeous music for this sacred time of the year: the duet (between Jesus and the Good Thief) is absolutely epic.
The text and English translation are visible in this score:
* Often known as The Seven Last Words of Christ, a mistranslation (Les Sept Paroles du Christ) as there are obviously more than 7 words in the text!
I loved this! Biblical, musical, so great to appreciate a bit of our ever declining western civilization.
Thank you for posting a version with the score.
You are most welcome!
Dubois may not have been a major composer, but he was capable of a home run now and then!
Let me recommend his Symphonie française :
Thank you.
Oh happy fault!
Thank you. And God bless you.
O Jesus I surrender myself to you; take care of everything
Old Testament reading for today….just one of the many passages in the Old Testament that foretell the coming of Jesus as the Messiah….from Zechariah 9: 9-12
The Coming King of Zion
9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
righteous and having salvation is he,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim
and the war horse from Jerusalem;
and the battle bow shall be cut off,
and he shall speak peace to the nations;
his rule shall be from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
11 As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you,
I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.
12 Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope;
today I declare that I will restore to you double.
My church had a beautiful service planned for today with a procession of the congregation singing and carrying palm branches. The service was to be followed by a pancake breakfast featuring real Maine maple syrup as today is al Maine Maple Weekend. Unfortunately parts of Maine got clobbered with snow, ice, and winds that started in the wee hours of Saturday morning and lasted 24 hours…so today’s service was canceled. 180K without power that’ll take days to restore. I’m blessed to be farther inland and got 2′ of light fluffy snow and only 2 hours of freezing rain. A rough start to Holy Week but we should be in fine shape for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Blessings to all!!!!
Retired Magistrate here: Bishop Barron reminds me of Bishop Fulton Sheen in his manner of explaining Biblical principles.
I remember watching Bishop Sheen on TV in the early 1950’s and even as a child, I could understand what he was saying. I am not Roman Catholic; however, Bishop Barron has a gentle demeanor and a way of explaining things that everyone can understand.
Thank you for posting this.
The immensity of what this day and coming week means to mankind, especially Christian believers, is greater than words can express.
But our hearts know.
Praise and Glory to the Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit!
Hosanna in the highest!
Agreed GB.
May many more see His light before the coming storm.
God Bless us always, Amen.
Menagerie, I just returned from 8:00 a.m. Mass and Thank you for this…it is a of great significance to me due to the Spirit of what is written…came home singing: “Were You There When they Crucified My Lord”
AND the wife says that is a beautiful song…Thank you!!!
We need the Lord. He needs us.
Amen…and thank you…Let us remember The Mother and her 7 Dolors….
The Prophecy of Simeon (and a Sword shall pierce your heart), the flight into Egypt. Losing her Son in the temple.
Meeting her battered and bloody Son on his trek to Calvary…The Crucifixion…The death of her Son.
His battered and broken body being removed from the cross and being placed in her arms, at the foot of the Cross.
I learned from a Bible study back in the Fall that The Mother started Jesus’ path to the cross by asking him to change the water into wine at the wedding feast. Up until that time, He had been just going about, doing His Father’s business. Now everyone knew that there was something special about Him and the word spread far and wide. It makes the heart hurt.
“This is what I was shooting for.”
Yes – being One in Him despite our doctrinal differences.
Years ago I was reading the history of England, the time of the English civil war. Prior to that the Bible had finally been printed in English which led to spiritual freedom of the citizens and the ensuing doctrinal disputations.
Oliver Cromwell had written a letter in which he confessed how Father God was able to bring unity amongst the soldiers despite these differences which they had previously used to divide themselves. He found himself joining his comrads from the different denominations in prayer on the battle field. He shared how that had changed him.
He could now see that God was their center, not specific doctrines nor the perfection of doctrines. God was the center point for the relationships.
That is what I see Father God doing right now – through your obedience to Him.
May He bless you and your household. Amen
Thanks Menagerie,
We here are grateful for your fidelity, and humbled by Jesus’s sacrifice.
This would be the perfect time to pray for the Christians in Gaza and Palestine. According to sources on the internet there were about 80,000 living there ten years ago. Today the number has dropped to about 50,000. St Porphyrius in Gaza is one of the oldest Greek Orthodox Churches in the world.
Our Pastor went from Luke 19, with the procurement of the donkey, to Zechariah 9:9 Ch 12 and Ch 14. Awesome message and conclusion that talks about those prophecies fulfilled and yet to be fulfilled.
Music was Ain’t No Grave by Bethel Music
And
I Speak Jesus by Charity Gayle.
The music is absolutely prayer. Powerful day.
Our pastor very interestingly used Psalm 23 and Isaiah 53, with their connection to John 6 and Revelation (?). It was a beautiful segway into the Holy Week.
After we returned home and I fixed lunch for my husband I finally sat down to check the day’s news. The last few days I have found I can’t, I just can’t … I feel like I do hospital triage, but everyone and everything is critical, the whole world is mortally wounded.
This post is balm to my soul.
I was amazed at all the reference to the gathering around Israel with malice and its relevance today. Megiddo is going to be a hideous valley when it transpires.
Isaiah 63 and Revelation 14:14-20 – blood six feet deep and 1600 furlongs, from Bozrah (Petra) to Tel Megiddo. The day of vengeance of our God, proclaimed but mercifully withheld until that time.
Raise Hallelujahs!!
Sing Praises!!!
“Rejoice greatly,
O daughter of Zion!
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your King is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.”
Zechariah 9:9
Dear Menagerie, I can’t thank you enough for the Scripture and the video. It was sorely needed today.
Hosanna in the highest!
Amen 🙏🏻
You were the Word at the beginning
One With God the Lord Most High
Your hidden glory in creation
Now revealed in You our Christ
What a beautiful Name it is
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a beautiful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
You didn’t want heaven without us
So Jesus, You brought heaven down
My sin was great, Your love was greater
What could separate us now
What a wonderful Name it is
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a wonderful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
Death could not hold You, the veil tore before You
You silenced the boast, of sin and grave
The heavens are roaring, the praise of Your glory
For You are raised to life again
You have no rival, You have no equal
Now and forever, Our God reigns
Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name, above all names
What a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a powerful Name it is
Nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
You have no rival, You have no equal
Now and forever, Our God reigns
Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name, above all names
What a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a powerful Name it is
Nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
source: https://www.lyricsondemand.com/h/hillsongworshiplyrics/whatabeautifulnamelyrics.html
Although our victory rests in a future Kingdom as we are not of this world, there is guidance for the solution for our situation in this world. It’s found in 2 Chron 7:14:
“if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.”
Encourage all believers to mark 2 May 2024 on their calendar as it is our nation’s National Day of Prayer. If possible, take the day off and dedicate it to a day of prayer and fasting. Imagine if every church across this nation would open their doors for people to come and pray for our nation and hold prayer services throughout the day. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD (Ps 33:12). We cannot reverse our nation’s trajectory toward destruction and tyranny without God. Obviously, this isn’t a onetime event and then go back to our sinning ways already in progress. Repent means to turn around. Perhaps such a national effort will inspire courage into those leaders who seem too scared to act. Perhaps it will be a catalyst for revival. Who knows how the LORD will respond?
As Confessional Lutherans (WELS) my wife and I deeply enjoyed Bishop Barron’s message. Our own Pastor Smith preached on the same same text and, he too, had a wonderful message.
Go to 42:08 here for the sermon (or listen to everything for great hymns):
https://splnewulm.org/online/
Pastor Smith’s style is dramatically different from Bishop Barron, yet, I think you will be edified from watching the 15-19 minute sermon.
Amen
It is always remarkable to me how a seemingly “small” phrase from the Bible can hold so much meaning and applicability to everyday life.
When I look, when I really see, the magnificence of God’s creation is unfathomable, overwhelming, literally awe-inspiring.
Menagerie, thank you for posting everything you post, it always makes a positive difference in my world.
Thank you for the video. Perfect Palm Sunday message.
Now is the time for all who follow Jesus Christ to humble themselves before our Triune God, at the foot of the Cross. Repent of and turn from all sin. Thank Him for His Mercy and Grace.
For all who would like more, or to get to know the bishop better…
https://rumble.com/v4jsz6l-true-stories-that-drive-spiritual-growth-bishop-barron-and-jordan-b-peterso.html
Thank you, Menagerie.
A very strong homily.
It reminds me of what a Catholic Chaplain in U.S. Navy told me many years ago that changed my life.
I quote Lt. Cmndr. Father Kelly:
“God’s gift to you is your life.
What you do with it is the only gift you can give God.”
So beautiful, Redblooded.
There was a Franciscan Priest who ministered at the Pilgrimage site of Medjugorje in Bosnia-Hecegovina. His name is Slavko Barbaric. He now holds a high place in Heaven, I’m sure.
He told us, “If you want to know how to live your life, read the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapters 5, 6 and 7.”
Bishop Barron has overnight turned into a Rockstar for Christian conservatives!
I remember the Passion Narrative well from when I heard it the first time as a child.
How utterly unfair and unjust it seemed to me.
Barabbas, a murderer, was freed in order for innocent Jesus to be crucified! Crucified! A man who had never sinned. A man who loved everyone. To be crucified in exchange for a murderer to go free!
How can this be? Who could not be outraged by the injustice?
Barabbas was the first human to reap the benefit of The Cross of Jesus. He was set free!
We all deserve our just punishment, but by The Cross we are set free.
In our celebration of the start of Holy Week we also chant for the release of Barabbas. And we boldly exclaim “Crucify Him!” when Pilate asks what to do with Jesus. Wow, we are all guilty of the crucifixion. Yet, we are all beneficiaries of that crucifixion.
Barabbas means “son of the father”. We are all children of The Father and are offered the same freedom through The Cross.
What did Barabbas do with his freedom? What do we do with ours?
My wish is you all have a truly Blessed Holy Week.
This week – I felt that I “heard” it for the first time!