PROSPECT HEIGHTS — Each Palm Sunday, Bishop Robert Brennan invites Catholics to make the rest of Holy Week “something different” by drawing closer to Christ through reflection and prayer.

Palm Sunday this year, April 13, was no exception. Bishop Brennan renewed his appeal at the start of the annual Palm Sunday procession and again during the following Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph.

This year, before the procession stepped off from Grand Army Plaza, he suggested that people can also engage in a bit of role playing in the days leading up to Easter Sunday.

“One of the invitations of Holy Week is to see the Passion through the eyes of the people who were there, and to recognize a little bit of ourselves in all of those people,” Bishop Brennan said.

He referred to the procession’s Gospel reading, Luke 19:28-40, which is the report of Jesus’ celebrated entry into Jerusalem with his path paved with palm leaves. The report is re-enacted during the procession.

However, Gospel readings over Holy Week also cover somber descriptions of the Passion in Luke’s Chapters 22 and 23, including the Last Supper, the Agony in the Garden, the Betrayal, and the Crucifixion. Here, Bishop Brennan said, we see the best and worst of the disciples — humans just like us.

For example, Peter, the future leader of the Church, felt unworthy for his feet to be washed by Jesus, but went on to deny knowing him three times. 

“He had the best of intentions,” Bishop Brennan said, “but he fell short.”

Likewise, Bishop Brennan added, the other apostles “slipped off one by one,” dozing in the garden when Jesus needed them most. Still, not everyone who witnessed the Passion disappointed Jesus, he said. 

Bishop Brennan urged Catholics to also identify with the Apostle John, “a faithful friend,” who followed Jesus to the top of Calvary to witness the Crucifixion and the sacrifice fulfilled. Also, several women devoted to Jesus trudged with him on the death march, he noted. 

Bishop Brennan next mentioned how Simon of Cyrene helped carry the cross, and how Veronica dabbed Jesus’ face — covered in dirt, sweat, and blood — with her own veil. 

“Perhaps we can see ourselves in the position of Mary,” he suggested, “to see all this happening through her eyes — the eyes of eternal love that would never abandon.”

Bishop Brennan used Spanish to welcome the procession participants, and to pray and sing with them on the half-mile trek from the plaza to the co-cathedral.

Joy permeated the palm-carrying marchers, fueled by the anticipated hope of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Jose Palacios, a greeter and usher at the co-cathedral, led the group in chants of “Viva Christo Rey!” — “Long Live Christ the King!”

Two friends from the co-cathedral parish took a few moments before the procession to explain their joyfulness.

Gloria Ordoñez, who came to the United States from Colombia, said the procession was a celebration of the faith. When shared as a congregation, it fills people with strength to endure their troubles, she said.

Gladys Figueroa, who is from El Salvador, agreed.

“We celebrate with joy because this is very important for us,” Figueroa said. “If we transmit our faith with happiness and charity, we can do everything that we can for others. It is important for us to live like Jesus.”

Bishop Brennan celebrated the Mass in Spanish. Although, toward the end, he used English to address the congregation, especially teens and young adults.

He reinvited everyone to engage in Holy Week activities such as going to confession at their parishes on Reconciliation Monday. The bishop also promoted the “Via Crucis” (Way of the Cross) procession over the Brooklyn Bridge on Good Friday. (For information, visit wocbrooklynbridge.wordpress.com.) 

Still, Bishop Brennan noted, there is one more thing that can make this Holy Week “something different” — finding time to pray with their savior. Jesus wanted to pray with his disciples in the garden and, likewise, “he invites us,” he said. 

“Jesus says, ‘Please, stay with me. Pray with me,’ ” he said. “My prayer is that this is a beautiful, prayerful, grace-filled week for all of you.”