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I remember growing up with a love-hate relationship with Palm Sunday. When I was really young, I remember the joy of receiving my palm and creating something that wasn't quite cross-shaped, but hey, I tried. 

Then when I was in middle and high school, I remember thinking: "How can I possibly stand through this entire Gospel?" But I also found joy in the way that our church had different voices reading the different players in the Passion story. 

Now when I read this Gospel, I am in wonder. Each of those different voices from my childhood represented the number of people who played a part in the story of Christ's death. Some of those people, He chose to be closest to Him. 

Judas sold Him out. Peter, James, and John couldn't stay awake for His vigil in the garden. Peter eventually betrayed Him. His own people wanted to kill Him. 

But these are the very people who should bring us hope. Because even though they were face to face with the person of Christ, they failed to recognize Him. They were chosen to be witnesses to the plan of God unfolding right before their very eyes, and yet, they seemed to work against Him.

If God, in His infinite goodness, kindness, and wisdom can use people such as these to enact His plan of salvation, then of course He can work with us. When we fear that our actions have disrupted "the plan," we can be confident that God's grace makes up for our weakness.

Peter denied the Lord three times, and yet He was chosen as the very Rock of our Church. The Lord can do the same with you and me. He chooses each one of us, despite our sins and failings, to follow Him.

Do you ever feel like God can't work through you? Take that fear to prayer. Let Him reassure you of His love and abiding presence.