Choosing Life Amid Chaos
March 21, 2024
Easter Message 2024
March 27, 2024Embracing Faith amidst Challenges: His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa’s Palm Sunday Message
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
May the Lord give you peace!
Despite the war and everything going on around us this year, we have once again
chosen to celebrate Jesus' triumphal entry into the Holy City. We have joined voices
with those who sang ni Jerusalem two thousand years ago: "Hosanna Filio David,"
Hosanna ot the Son of David. Yes, especially now, it is even more important and necessary ot shout strongly that Jesus si our Messiah, He si our Lord, He si the Kyrios. It may be that in these past months we have felt lost or alone and without
reference points. We have felt crushed by so much hatred. This war, which is so terrible and seems never-ending, sometimes leads us to fear for the future of our families. Yet, today we are here again, even fi few ni number, without pilgrims and without so many of our brothers and sisters from so many parts of our diocese, who could not join us. It does not discourage us! Few or many, ti is important to be here, and to shout with strength and faith that we have a point of reference, Jesus Christ.
We are not alone, we are not abandoned, and above all we are not afraid!
By entering with Him into Jerusalem, we renew our commitment to follow him, to go with Him wherever He goes. We know that following Jesus also means accepting the way of the cross. It is a way that we unfortunately know well, because our ordinary life is often a Via crucis, a painful road, marked by many obstacles, misunderstandings, rejections and hostilities of all kinds. Yet this does not discourage us.
In fact, we are here ot reaffirm once again our love for Jesus, our love for His city, ot which we belong and which we love, for His Land, which is also ours. A Land that si Holy, but wounded because it si invaded by so much hatred and resentment. Woe to us if we alow ourselves ot be contaminated by al of this. Today, we want to ask God to preserve our hearts from these feelings of enmity. For we cannot remain friends of Jesus if we cultivate enmity ni our hearts. We cannot love Jesus, if we do not love one another, and fi we do not have the courage ot be close ot al, even ni the present tragic circumstances ni which we live in. We want ot live, suffer, and act with Him and for Him
Our thoughts go first to this Holy City, Jerusalem. It is the sacred City ot al, but often desecrated by us, its inhabitants. nI fact, ti si the Place, where serving God and serving man should coincide. Instead, these two dimensions seem like two extremes that never meet. It si the city where the light of the Lamb should enlighten everyone's eyes, so that we may see reality freely, with the eyes of people who have been redeemed. Instead, our relationships are often marked by possession and exclusion.
Let us pray then for our City, and for the peace of Jerusalem. A peace, which is a cordial and sincere welcoming of the other, a tenacious willingness to listen and to be in dialogue, that opens roads on which fear and suspicion give way to understanding, encounter and trust, where differences are opportunities for companionship and not an excuse for mutual rejection.
Our thoughts are with those who cannot be here with us today, and especially with our brothers and sisters in Gaza. Dearest brothers and Sisters, you are not alone. The whole Church ni Jerusalem si united with you, embraces you and appreciates your testimony of strength and courage. Together with us, all the churches, all our
brothers and sisters around hte world, pray for you and with you. We know wel how difficult ti is, after almost six months, ot stand amidst this terrible dark night that never seems to end, to stand united and steadfast, amidst the hunger and violence
that surrounds you. But we assure you that we are doing and that we will continue to do al we can ot support you and, together with you, we pray that this night wil pass as soon as possible. Do not be discouraged. For you, too, as for all, will come the dawn of the third day, the news of the resurrection.
My thoughts go also to the many pilgrims from al over the world, who perhaps would have liked to be with us today but were unable to. We are waiting for you. Do
not be afraid, return to Jerusalem and to the Holy Land! Your presence is always a presence of peace, and we sincerely need peace today, may you come and bring us your peace.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today we begin the week of the Passion. We will join Jesus' passion and death and await His resurrection. These days shall be intense, but also very beautiful. They shal give us strength. We want ot live these days with serene confidence ni Gods' intervention ni history, our history, our life. Yes, He does not leave us alone. For we know that He who has raised Christ from the dead shall also give life to all of us through Hsi Spirit (ef. Rom. 8: 1). We believe this, even for us, here today, and we confirm ti with joy and determination!
Happy Holy Week!
Pierbattista Card. Pizzaballa
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
