Passion (Palm) Sunday, April 02, 2023

Palm Procession Gospel: Matthew 21:1-11

First Reading: Isiah 50:4-7 

Psalm #22 R: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11

Gospel Acclamation Verse: Christ became obedient for us to death, even death on a Cross.Therefore God exalted him and gave him the name above every name. R: Praise to you, Lord, king of eternal glory!

Passion Gospel: Matthew 26:14-27:66

Theme:  The story of our redemption

Commentary:   

How was your Lenten journey? Was it the best ever? Did you take advantage of the Holy Moment prompts through Flocknote each day? 

Let’s recap the last five Sunday Gospels and be reminded of who Jesus is. The first week we learn Jesus is the Son of God (Matt. 4:3), the second week that he is God’s Beloved, and to listen to him (Matt. 17:5). The next three weeks we learn Jesus is the Messiah. He is the Saviour; the one who only does resurrections for those who thirst (John 4:25-26), for those blind to the truth (John 9:35-38), and for those not fully alive (John 11: 25). Jesus is indeed our Lord and Saviour, our Messiah.

Today marks the end of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week. Our scripture readings today include an additional Gospel reading. This Gospel recounts Jesus entering into Jerusalem on a colt and people shouting, “Hosanna in the Highest”. We also need to proclaim that Jesus is the long awaited Messiah. We are invited to welcome him into our lives as our Lord and Saviour. Without this, Holy Week makes no sense.  

At the end of our scripture readings, today’s Gospel of Matthew retells ‘the passion’ or Jesus’ journey from riding into Jerusalem like a victorious king, to being arrested, falsely accused, betrayed, left behind by his friends, tortured and then put to the worst possible kind of death. We are told that Jesus did this in obedience to what The Father asked of him. He agreed to suffer through all this and die so we could be forgiven of our sins. His death repaired the relationship Adam and Eve broke when they disobeyed God the Father. He has earned for us, for you and me, a way into heaven and a way to have a personal friendship with God the Father. This is truly a time to be very grateful. Jesus was put to death, but we know there is much more to this story, for nothing is impossible with God and (spoiler alert) Jesus only does resurrections,…but that is a story for next Sunday.

As Catholics, the best way to enter into the events of Jesus’ passion and death is to attend Triduum. This celebration, which spans three entire days, (Thursday evening, Friday afternoon, Saturday Easter Vigil) is the summit of the Liturgical year! There is nothing quite like it. It certainly makes Easter morning that much more beautiful and meaningful.

May your gratitude for all that Jesus did for you, be expressed in the care you show others, and  in continuing to find ways to create holy moments for and with those around you.

Prayer for Families: Almighty Father, our voices join with the voices some 2000 years ago in Jerusalem. Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Jesus is our King of Kings, our Lord of Lords, our hope and our salvation. Help us to choose to show our gratitude by caring for those around us and for our planet. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.  AMEN. 

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