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Overview: As the House and Senate Appropriations and other relevant committees consider the  requirements and funding needed for federal programs, the Social Policy team is monitoring the process and planning to submit letters to remind committee members of the needs of the most impoverished and vulnerable in our nation.

Economy: In the week ending March 25, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 198,000, an increase of 7,000 from the previous week’s unrevised level of 191,000. The 4-week moving average was 198,250, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week’s unrevised average of 196,250.

Venezuelan migrants expelled from the U.S. under Title 42 walk across the Lerdo-Stanton International border bridge to Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Oct. 14, 2022. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice Feb. 21, 2023, announced a proposal that if approved could significantly limit asylum in the U.S. (OSV News photo/Jose Luis Gonzalez, Reuters)

Migration: CCUSA submitted comments in response to the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking titled “Circumvention of Lawful Pathways.” CCUSA opposes the proposed rule because it creates additional barriers for migrants fleeing harm to exercise their legal right to request life-saving protections in the United States. Furthermore, CCUSA opposes the proposal as it will increase migrants’ vulnerability to smuggling, trafficking and other forms of exploitation — the very types of dangers they are escaping. 

Poverty Assistance: CCUSA, as a member of the Circle of Protection, joined in a letter expressing opposition to cuts in poverty-focused programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and international food aid in the Farm Bill, as well as annually appropriated domestic and international poverty-focused programs. Read the letter here.

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On Palm Sunday, we look forward to Holy Week and the celebration of Easter, the goal for which we set our sights back on Ash Wednesday. More pointedly, we begin a concentrated reflection on the passion of Jesus.

Jesus’ passion evokes for most of us his suffering and death, which is certainly appropriate. But the passion of Jesus also signifies his longing to do God’s will and his love for you and me.

Palm Sunday. Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Dominica in palmis de passione domini. Illustration - fresco in Byzantine style.

From the gospel accounts, we understand that Jesus feels deep sorrow and distress as he considers the disciples’ sluggish faith and his own upcoming suffering. Jesus even prays to his Father, “if it is possible, let this cup pass from me.” Yet, Jesus also trusts God’s faithfulness and love, so he is determined to do God’s will, to complete the work of salvation. It is love, ultimately, that moves Jesus to embrace the cross. He feels it in his guts, so to speak: God will not abandon me and I will not abandon my brothers and sisters. That is also the passion of Christ.

In contrast, the disciples (and Peter is their representative) can barely stay awake in the midst of Jesus’ passion. When Jesus is arrested, Peter follows at a distance. He doesn’t want to totally reject Jesus, but he doesn’t want to totally accept him either. Peter and the other disciples lack passion. It’s only after the Resurrection, when they yield to God’s love, that Peter and the others begin to manifest their faith openly in word and deed. They even imitate the Lord’s death through their martyrdom. 

What about you and me? Can we embrace the passion of Jesus? Love is key. In fact, God’s love is key. We will certainly stumble and fall, like Peter and the other disciples. But if we continue to stand up when we fall and follow after Jesus over and over again, how can we doubt that God’s love will bless us in the same way? What helps us to continue is bringing to mind the truth that Jesus died and rose for us. He chose us, he wants us, he loves us!

Knowing in one’s gut that one is loved by God does not shield a person from troubles and difficulties in this world, and it doesn’t mean being absolved from practicing one’s faith. What it does do is feed a person’s passion for God, to love God and one’s brothers and sisters in return, and to look forward with confident faith to share one day in the fullness of Easter joy.

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Q. What do palm branches symbolize?

Please send your answers to [email protected]. 

Last week's question and answer:

Q. In terms of the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, what does “Annunciation” refer to?

A. Thanks to Alicia McGill from Tampa, Fla., who was first with the right answer: “Annunciation” refers to the “announcement” of the Lord’s incarnation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, as narrated in the Gospel of Luke.

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