Cycle A - Year II:  

13 April 2014: Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

(Liturgical color: Red)

Part 1: Matthew 21:1-11

Part 2: Matthew 27:11-54

Our journey of love with the Lord!

Our Lenten pilgrimage is almost complete; from a distant we can already see Mt. Calvary of our Lord Jesus marked by betrayal of his closest friends that led to his death in the hands of his enemies.

But first today the Church celebrates Palm Sunday. The liturgy has two Gospel readings, both from Matthew. The first is Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, which will be read after the blessing of palm branches and before the Mass proper. The second Gospel reading is during the Mass, which narrates the Passion and Death of Jesus. We are invited to reflect on both these Gospel proclamations.

Palm Sunday: (Mt. 21:1-11) Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem amidst the shouts of the people, "Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed its he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest!" The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from trees and strewed them on the road.

Going to Jerusalem is a decisive step in completing Jesus' mission as he makes

final preparation for his journey to Calvary. Amidst the shouts and welcome of the crowd, Jesus sees beyond their noise his suffering, torture and death on the cross of salvation. Yet he submits himself completely to the will of his Father.

In the Church's liturgy, Palm Sunday marks our entry into the holiest season of Holy Week.

The Passion and Death of Jesus: (Mt. 27:11-54) In the second Gospel proclamation we hear the same crowd who welcome him in Jerusalem, but this time shouting a different tune as Jesus is

brought before Pilate: "Let him be crucified!" they shout. And so the road to Calvary is sealed for Jesus; he is crucified and died on the cross. His triumphal entry into Jerusalem ended in a journey of love to Calvary, as Jesus gave up his life to redeem us from sin.

Reflection on the Gospel readings: In practical life, we, too, are called to enter into our own "Jerusalem" even as we are challenged to surrender ourselves completely to the will of the Father. Sometimes, or often times perhaps, we may not always understand. Yet, we cannot waiver in our faith. We must trust God as our loving Father who cannot, and will not, forsake us.

During the coming Holy Week, let us meditate more intently on the Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed God so loves us to give up His only Son to die in order to redeem us from our sin. There is no greater love than this: by his suffering, death and resurrection, our Lord Jesus Christ has bridged the gap between God and man.

In his first address to the faithful and to the world, our Pope Francis asked us to join him in the journey of brotherhood towards the Father. Let us then walk with the Holy Father, and together as one Church, join our Lord Jesus Christ in the journey of love, from the kingly entrance into Jerusalem until his self-sacrifice in Calvary, and resurrection on Easter Sunday.

A blessed Sunday to us all, and thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!