The Love That Conquers All. A Reflection on Holy Week – A Call to Gratitude and Hope: Remembering the Cross and Resurrection

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

As we gather here today, we are reminded of the great sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross. From Palm Sunday to Good Friday, from Black Saturday to Easter Sunday, we have witnessed the triumph of love and the power of God’s grace.

We began this holy week with Palm Sunday, remembering the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The people welcomed him with open arms, laying down palm branches as he rode by on a donkey. They recognized him as their Savior, and rejoiced at his coming.

But the triumph was short-lived, as we moved on to Good Friday, the day on which Jesus was crucified. It was a day of mourning and sorrow, as we remembered the agony that Jesus endured for our sake. He suffered and died on the cross, giving himself up for us so that we might be saved.

On Black Saturday, we waited in anticipation for the resurrection of our Lord. It was a day of silence and waiting, as we remembered the darkness that had descended upon the world at the death of Jesus.

But on Easter Sunday, we experienced the joy of resurrection. Jesus rose from the dead, triumphing over sin and death, and offering us the promise of eternal life. As the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:55, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

As we reflect on these events, we are reminded of the power of God’s love for us. He loved us so much that he sent his only son to die for us, so that we might be reconciled to him. And through the resurrection of Jesus, we are given the promise of new life, of forgiveness, and of hope.

So let us pray, dear Lord, that you would fill our hearts with your love and your grace. Help us to remember the sacrifice that Jesus made for us, and to live our lives in gratitude for that gift. May we be a people of hope, of love, and of joy, sharing your message of salvation with all those around us.

We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Amen

Rev. Dr. Gerald F. Poe, Jr., PM