Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
We’re off on the liturgical roller coaster that is Holy Week. It may be tempting to think of this week as the “home stretch” of Lent, but it’s much more a time to “double down” than to “kick back.”
We can sense this in the Palm Sunday liturgy that began this week. Catholics around the world begin that liturgy with what surely feels like a celebratory procession, waving palms and recalling how Jesus was enthusiastically greeted as a king upon his arrival in Jerusalem. I always particularly loved that part of the liturgy in St. Peter’s Square: Those in the procession carried magnificent palms that were surely taller than I am. The green of the palms stood out beautifully against the marble of the colonnade. It was easy to imagine Jesus’s entry into the City of David. And yet, as the Passion was each year proclaimed, we were reminded of what happened after that triumphant arrival into Jerusalem and how our king was treated: We hear that Jesus was brutally scourged and mocked with cries of, “Hail, King of the Jews!” It was that title that would sarcastically be placed upon his cross.
Jesus was clearly not the kind of king anyone expected: As he himself stated, his “kingdom is not of this world.” Those who attended Mass today would have heard a further reflection on Jesus’ unusual kingship. Lest there be any confusion after the Palm Sunday liturgy, today’s Gospel verse proclaimed: “Hail to you, our King; you alone are compassionate with our faults.”
A compassionate king—how novel! Though many adjectives could have been used to describe the kings who ruled in Jesus’ time, “compassionate” was unlikely to have been one of them. Kings and others in high positions of power often responded in anger, fear, and violence whenever their lofty positions were threatened. Think about King Herod and the other authorities we will hear about this week, such as Pontius Pilate and even Caiphas the high priest. They all felt threatened by Jesus and reasoned that by putting him to death, there would be no way that he could assume his rightful place as king and threaten their authority.
The great irony is that we now recognize that Jesus took his rightful crown by giving up his life.
What kind of king is Jesus? He is a king who prays for his persecutors and invites them into his friendship, rather than trying to stomp them out. He is a high priest who is consumed not by greed and self-righteousness, but by zeal for keeping his Father’s house a sacred place of worship – not a den of thieves. Jesus is a king who gave his life for you and for me, so that all may come to know him.
According to Jewish custom, kings were always anointed with oil. When we refer to Jesus as the “Christ,” we are recognizing his kingship by using the Greek word for the “anointed one” (translating the Hebrew word for “messiah”). Two thousand years later, anointing continues to play an important role in our church, having a key role in the administration of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, and the Sacrament of the Sick.
Later this week, on Holy Thursday, I will have the privilege of gathering in the Cathedral with a large number of our priests to consecrate the Sacred Chrism and then to bless the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of the Catechumens. For us as priests, the oils are critical tools of our trade. While it will be at that liturgy that the priests of the diocese will renew the promises that we all made at the time of our ordinations, the Mass is by no means only for priests. I invite you to join us in this special celebration, at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral. It’s a wonderful opportunity to pray for those who will be receiving the Easter sacraments this year, as well to pray for your priests. I hope to see you there and pray that you have a fruitful Holy Week, leading to a joyous Easter.
Jesus was clearly not the kind of king anyone expected: As he himself stated, his “kingdom is not of this world.” Those who attended Mass today would have heard a further reflection on Jesus’ unusual kingship. Lest there be any confusion after the Palm Sunday liturgy, today’s Gospel verse proclaimed: “Hail to you, our King; you alone are compassionate with our faults.”
A compassionate king—how novel! Though many adjectives could have been used to describe the kings who ruled in Jesus’ time, “compassionate” was unlikely to have been one of them. Kings and others in high positions of power often responded in anger, fear, and violence whenever their lofty positions were threatened. Think about King Herod and the other authorities we will hear about this week, such as Pontius Pilate and even Caiphas the high priest. They all felt threatened by Jesus and reasoned that by putting him to death, there would be no way that he could assume his rightful place as king and threaten their authority.
The great irony is that we now recognize that Jesus took his rightful crown by giving up his life.
What kind of king is Jesus? He is a king who prays for his persecutors and invites them into his friendship, rather than trying to stomp them out. He is a high priest who is consumed not by greed and self-righteousness, but by zeal for keeping his Father’s house a sacred place of worship – not a den of thieves. Jesus is a king who gave his life for you and for me, so that all may come to know him.
According to Jewish custom, kings were always anointed with oil. When we refer to Jesus as the “Christ,” we are recognizing his kingship by using the Greek word for the “anointed one” (translating the Hebrew word for “messiah”). Two thousand years later, anointing continues to play an important role in our church, having a key role in the administration of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, and the Sacrament of the Sick.
Later this week, on Holy Thursday, I will have the privilege of gathering in the Cathedral with a large number of our priests to consecrate the Sacred Chrism and then to bless the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of the Catechumens. For us as priests, the oils are critical tools of our trade. While it will be at that liturgy that the priests of the diocese will renew the promises that we all made at the time of our ordinations, the Mass is by no means only for priests. I invite you to join us in this special celebration, at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral. It’s a wonderful opportunity to pray for those who will be receiving the Easter sacraments this year, as well to pray for your priests. I hope to see you there and pray that you have a fruitful Holy Week, leading to a joyous Easter.
Watch now: Teaching Mass, Session 7 – Communion Rite
Kneeling or standing, receiving in the hand or on the tongue, we show reverence for our Lord truly present in the Eucharist. Watch episode 7 of the Teaching Mass series.
Chrism Mass (Year 2: The Mass) (April 17)
The faithful of the Archdiocese are invited to join for the annual Chrism Mass. This Mass is an opportunity to pray for our priests, who each year renew their vows at this Mass. On this occasion, moreover, the Sacred Chrism will be consecrated and the Oil of Catechumens and Oil of the Sick will be blessed (to be used in the administration of the sacraments in the next year throughout the Archdiocese).
Immersion Trip: Chimbote, Peru (Register by May 15)
Join the Center for Mission in partnership with Friends of Chimbote for this immersion trip as we pray with our brothers and sisters in Peru, celebrate Mass, and serve alongside those encountered.
Coon Rapids priest becomes National Guard chaplain
Father Paul Hedman first thought about becoming a military chaplain while in seminary prior to his priestly ordination in 2020.
Read the full story from The Catholic Spirit.
Read the full story from The Catholic Spirit.
Why I am Catholic — Luis Rojas
Have you ever thought about why you are Catholic? I started reflecting on it after being invited to write an essay for The Catholic Spirit. I did not want to settle with a quick and shallow answer, so I tried searching deeper in my soul.
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Still leading souls: A story of loss, love and holiness
What does it mean to live a life that echoes beyond your years? Ellen and Steve Untz join us to share the story of their son Charles — a young man whose deep faith, quiet leadership, and desire for holiness continue to impact lives decades after his passing. From heartfelt family memories to moments of spiritual reflection, this episode is a testament to how one life, lived with love and purpose, can leave a lasting legacy.
Listen to this episode with Ellen and Steve Untz now.
Listen to this episode with Ellen and Steve Untz now.
Between earth and heaven: A journey on the Camino, part 1 (with Joe Ruff)
Our life is a journey between this world and the next. In this episode, we explore one of the world’s most iconic spiritual journeys — the Camino de Santiago. Our guest, Joe Ruff, recently walked 80 miles of the route with his brother, through the breathtaking paths of Portugal and Spain. It’s a story of movement, meaning, and the quiet transformation that happens with every step.
Visit Practicing Catholic to listen on your favorite podcasting platform. Listen Friday at 9 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m., or Sunday at 2 p.m. on Relevant Radio 1330AM.
What will be discussed at Synod 2025: Be My Witnesses Assembly?
After reviewing the 12 top vote-getting Propositions from Synod 2022 via a series of videos sent beginning in Lent, Synod 2025 Members will pray together, discuss in both small-group and large-group formats those 12 Propositions, then vote on the Propositions for the coming years of implementation. Synod 2022 Propositions already adopted by Archbishop Hebda for implementation (Small Groups, The Mass and Parents as Primary Educators) will continue to be considered.
The next step in the Archdiocesan Synod process will be taking place this summer. Synod 2025: Be My Witnesses Assembly will take place Saturday, June 7 and culminate with the annual Pentecost Vigil Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Paul. All are invited to pray for Synod 2025 and attend the Pentecost Vigil Mass. Find more FAQs about Synod 2025 on the Archdiocesan website.
Sent forth by the Holy Spirit to make Jesus known and loved.
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April 14, 2025