Gospel Reflection 2020

 Sunday - Passion / Palm 

The story of Jesus’ Passion and death in Matthew’s Gospel focuses particularly on the obedience of Jesus to the will of his Father. As Jesus sends his disciples to prepare for Passover, he indicates that the events to come are the will of the Father (Matthew 26:18). In Jesus’ prayer in the garden, he prays three times to the Father to take away the cup of suffering, but each time, Jesus concludes by affirming his obedience to the Father’s will (Matthew 26:39-44). Even Matthew’s description of Jesus’ death shows Jesus’ obedience to the Father.

Jesus acts in obedience to the Father even in death, so that sins may be forgiven. Matthew makes this clear in the story of the Lord’s Supper. As Jesus blesses the chalice, he says: “. . . for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28)

There are many vantage points from which to engage in Jesus’ Passion. In the characters of Matthew’s Gospel, we find reflections of ourselves and the many ways in which we sometimes respond to Jesus. Sometimes we are like Judas, who betrays Jesus and comes to regret it. We are sometimes like Peter, who denies him, or like the disciples, who fell asleep during Jesus’ darkest hour but then act rashly and violently at his arrest. Sometimes we are like Simon, who is pressed into service to help Jesus carry his cross. Sometimes we are like the leaders who fear Jesus or like Pontius Pilate, who washed his hands of the whole affair. Jesus dies so that our sins will be forgiven.

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Another theme of Matthew’s Gospel is to show Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture. Throughout the Passion narrative, Matthew cites and alludes to Scripture to show that the events of Jesus’ Passion and death are in accordance with all that was foretold. And if the events were foretold, then God is in control. In addition, Matthew is particularly concerned that the reader does not miss the fact that Jesus is the Suffering Servant of the Old Testament.

[Updated April 5]

All Masses cancelled & gatherings suspended due to Corona Virus.  View letter from Archbishop.  Contact Parish for details of other activities.

Calendar
Excerpt from a letter addressed to everyone from the Bishops of the Province of Victoria …
“The Bishops of the Province of Victoria have given this prayerful and considered reflection, and have determined the following actions:
• Immediate suspension of public liturgies, celebrations of the Mass, until further notice.
• All other gatherings are suspended. For clarification of any concerns, please contact your local diocesan authority.”

A message from Fr Martin ...
Dear Parishioners,
As we begin the month of April and continue the journey of isolation, I hope and pray that you and your families are all doing as best as possible. There is so much to take in each day and the different stories we hear from other countries. Amongst all that is happening in our world and in our own backyard, our journey towards Easter continues.
This weekend we celebrate Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. On Palm Sunday, we remember the time when Jesus came to Jerusalem, riding on a donkey and being
welcomed by his faithful disciples.   They laid palm leaves on the path demonstrating their belief in Jesus as their redeemer.
We too have the opportunity to express our belief in Christ as our own redeemer. Some may question how can we do this if we cannot participate in the Eucharist. However, even though we cannot be together as we usually do, let us put our faith in Christ by putting our faith and trust in our prayers. We may pray as a family or as individuals, but let our prayers be about each other, our country, our world and for all those who are suffering.
Recently, I heard on the radio our Prime Minister, Scott Mor-rison, talk about the Covid-19 virus and how we all need to have patience as we do not know how long before we can go back to some normality.
So, this Sunday let us remember Christ on his journey to the cross, and ask Christ to gift us with the gift of patience. Particularly, when things may get stressful at home, with family members, or just dealing with this situation in our minds. If I, or the parish, can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to call. God Bless. Fr Martin

Holy Week @ Home
Holy Week holds a very special place in the hearts of all Christians: it is a week that taps into the deepest elements of our faith in Jesus—so very human and so divine. As we embark on our journey through this Holy Week in 2020, it will be unlike any other Easter we have experienced, or are likely to experience again. For many of us, it will be our first Easter Triduum without the richness of the beautiful liturgies that we experience gathered as a community of faith in our parishes. We will rightly mourn what is lost as we stay at home in order to keep everyone safe. Yet this can also be an opportunity to journey more intentionally as a domestic church through Holy Week. As we gather in our home—with those we live with or alone—we are gathered as a domestic church. Dial in to … Holy Week @ Home Resources
The Mission Team of the Archdiocese have developed a series of re-sources to celebrate Holy Week @ Home. This first set of resources are for Palm Sunday (April 5th).

Words of wisdom from our LC
Dear Sisters and Brothers, As many of you already know, the Archdiocese of Melbourne has suspended all public Masses until further notice. Please know that while our doors are closed for Mass, we are still here to address any spiritual or pastoral needs. Our pastoral team is available for home visits and telephone conversations. Fr. Martin is available for anointing of the sick and reconciliation, as well as other spiritual and sacra-mental needs that may arise. Our office number is 9481 7333; email <collclift@hotmail.com> There are a number of wonderful online resources that may support you in your prayer life, as well as make possible the sharing of home liturgies and celebrations. They are as follows... Daily streaming of Mass at 1:00pm each day https://melbournecatholic.org.au/Mass Lenten reflections and Liturgy of the Word at home; as well as the Bishop's letter regarding the latest guidelines https://www.cam.org.au/Guidance-for-Parishes-COVID-19 Children's liturgy and other resources that explore the Word http://www.cam.org.au/evangelisation/Summit And don't forget Fr Frank's Audio Divina http://www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina In these challenging and uncertain times, may we hold close our to our faith. Expressing Christ's love through our continued support of each other by acts of kindness and in being a compassionate listening presence for others.
Jennifer Jacobs-Vandegeer

Collingwood Cottage Inc
It is with concern for everyone that Collingwood Cottage will not be open for food parcels on Friday mornings for the month of April. Alternate suggestions are ...
Foodbank
https://www.foodbank.org.au/a-message-from-foodbank-victoria-ceo-coronavirus-response/?state=vic

Premiers Page
https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/emergency-relief-packages-for-victorians-who-need-it-most/?state=vic

CONGRATULATIONS to Nonni Doriana (who works in our administration office) and Vince Penso on the arrival of Thomas (son of Sam and Luisa Penso) recently.

Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday commemorates the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1–9), when palm branches were placed in his path, before his arrest on Holy Thursday and his crucifixion on Good Friday. It thus marks the beginning of Holy Week, the final week of Lent. A king would have ridden a horse when he was bent on war and ridden a donkey to symbolize his arrival in peace. Jesus' entry into Jerusalem would have thus symbolized his entry as the Prince of Peace, not as a war-waging king.
Wikipedia

Prayers of the People
Disruption and upheaval on a global scale not seen in our lifetime. Whole populations plunged into crisis. Everyday assumptions about normal life swept away.
In the midst such turmoil faithful Christians will feel one loss acutely: the inability to take part physically in the core ser-vices of the church’s year, the liturgies of the Triduum. But when accepted and reflected on, this loss can provoke insight into the mystery that lies at the heart of human experience.
Recognised or not, the dynamic of daily life is one of dying to old ways and rising to freedom. The present pandemic chal-lenges Christians to manifest to a fear-filled world that the dying and rising of Jesus is the ground of all hope.
Australian Catholics

Project Compassion
Please donate to Caritas Australia through Project Compas-sion. Your donations offer hope to people most vulnera-ble. Please take a box or pack of envelopes.
Sixth week : Dominic is a father of six from Papua New Guinea. In 2016 he became involved with Caritas Australia’s partner, Centre of Hope, who runs safe house and family anonymous programs he turned a difficult life and an unhap-py relationship around. Now a community trainer, he works with other men to help them to change their behaviour and build more harmonious family lives. Caritas Australia