As we enter the HOLY WEEK with the celebration of PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD, I want to reflect on the themes of LIFE AND DEATH, BODILY DEATH, AND ETERNAL LIFE. DO WE TRULY BELIEVE IN ETERNAL LIFE? HOW SUCH AN ESSENTIAL CHRISTIAN BELIEF TRANSFORM OUR WAY OF LIFE on earth?

When I was a child growing up in Southern France, there was no telephone, no television, no social media, and no fake news. To meet someone, we had to walk to their homes. The village news was shouted by an announcer walking through all the streets. Life was much simpler than today. Everyone was Catholic. There were no apparent attacks on the Church.

However, the fundamental challenges of adolescent and adult life were not much different from those of today. The invisible DEVIL was at work, planting doubt and lies. People were sinners, attached to the attractions of the world. PEOPLE WERE AFRAID OF DEATH. There were family dramas. As a child, I was shocked to hear that villagers committed suicide: first, the wife of the butcher (shop near my home), then, the father of one of my good friends. I could not understand why.

People were also mourning the loss of loved ones publicly. Funeral processions were visible: beginning at the house of the deceased, going slowly to the church walking behind the coffin, then after the Funeral all going to the cemetery half a mile away, walking again behind the coffin. You could hear women crying along the processions. There was a sense of communion, of being United in common suffering. There were no funeral homes. There was just one "undertaker": a villager building wooden coffins. The wake took place in homes open to all family and friends. It was simple and spiritual.

LIFE AND DEATH were as challenging as today. There were doubts and fears about WHAT HAPPENS AFTER OUR BODY DIES. A KEY QUESTION for all, still today, was and is: "DO I BELIEVE IN ETERNAL LIFE? For us Christians, a key question is: HOW DOES MY BE- LIEF IN JESUS ' RESURRECTION CHANGE MY WAY OF LIFE ON EARTH?" When I truly believe that Jesus is my Lord and my God, when I experience God’s Love in my life, my life is totally changed. Do you believe this? If so, do not be afraid of death. Live your entire life in Christ, with Christ, and for Christ!

As CHRISTIANS, we believe THE PASSION, DEATH, AND RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST CONQUER DEATH once and for all and LEAD US TO SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE WITH GOD. After the death of our bodies, the soul continues to live forever. At the end of time, our bodies and souls will be reunited in a GLORIFIED BODY. This is our belief. This is what the Church teaches. This is what Jesus asks us to share with others. This is evangelization. This is the sharing of the Good News, the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: HE LOVES EACH ONE OF US AS WE ARE, HE DIES FOR US AND FORGIVES OUR SINS, HE SAVES US, HE RESURRECTS AND LEADS US ON THE WAY TO HEAV- EN! TO ETERNAL LIFE WITH HIM!

As we now ENTER INTO THEE HOLY WEEK we also reflect on the JOY of welcoming Jesus as He enters triumphantly into Jerusalem: HE IS OUR KING, HE IS THE KING OF LOVE! We hold our palms high when the priest blesses them in the Narthex. We wave our palms continuously when we enter the church with great JOY to celebrate the Mass, THE PASCAL MYSTERY. Jesus enters into our own church triumphantly... He is going to be with us. He is coming into THE EUCHARIST. We also anticipate the TRIDUUM: THE PASSION AND DEATH OF OUR LORD beginning right after the LAST SUPPER on HOLY THURSDAY: after Jesus institutes the EUCHARIST AND THE PRIESTHOOD, He goes to PRAY in the GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE. He knows he is going to be betrayed and die a terrible death on a cross. He will save all of us!

Let us pray to Christ, Our Savior, who redeemed us by His Death and Resurrection: Lord, have mercy on us, You went to Jerusalem to suffer and so enter into your glory, bring Your Church to the Passover Feast of Heaven.

You were lifted high on the Cross and pierced by the soldier's lance, heal our wounds. You made the Cross the Tree of Life, gives its fruit to those reborn in baptism

On the Cross, you forgave the repentant thief, forgive us our sins
(Intercessions of Morning Prayer, Friday of Fourth Week of Lent)

Come and join us on Holy Thursday (7 pm Mass),
Good Friday (2 pm Last Seven Words, 2:30 pm Stations of the Cross, 7 pm Solemn Service with Veneration of the Cross), and
Easter Vigil (7 pm).

Celebrate with us the TRIDUUM!

Have a most Blessed Holy Week!

One in Christ,

Fr. Alain