Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

SINCE the beginning of Lent we have prepared our hearts through penance and charitable works in anticipation of the celebration of the the Paschal Triduum — the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We deeply understand and commit ourselves for our liability to God and to our neighbors as well, in accordance with the teachings and example of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus came to fulfill his mission as the Messiah, to suffer a most cruel death but eventually to resurrect to fulfill the will of His Father.

Palm Sunday has two parts. The first is the Commemoration of the Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem. A solemn procession is usually held after the people gather in a place outside the church. The Gospel Reading in the first part of the Mass tells of Jesus entered into Jerusalem. The people welcoming him cried out: Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of

the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come! Hosanna in the highest! Jesus thus made a triumphant entry into his native land.

In the second part of the liturgy, the priest proceeds to the church where Mass is held. Mass begins with the Collect and followed by the Liturgy of the Word. The first reading is from the book of the Prophet Isaiah (Is 50:4-7) in which the Servant declares his confidence and fidelity to the Lord God amidst derision and persecution.

The second reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians (Phil 2:6-11) emphasizes that Christ Jesus came in human likeness, humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. That because of this, God bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bend, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The chief priests accused Jesus of many things and Pilate was amazed because Jesus gave no answer. As part of the feast, Pilate released to the people one prisoner whom they requested. A man called Barrabas was then in prison along with the rebels who had committed murder in a rebellion. Pilate asked the people “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews” But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barrabas instead and Jesus.

Let us commemorate the Lord’s entry into the city, following in His footsteps, so that we may also have a share in his Resurrection and in His life. The message this Palm Sunday is to always welcome Jesus through our deepest pain and suffering so that like Him, we may be a true follower of the Lord that shuns comforts and riches. May we all have a meaningful celebration of the Paschal Triduum.