HOSANNA TO THE SON OF DAVID (The triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem)
Processional Gospel: Mark 11:1-10
First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7
Second Reading: Philippians 2: 6-11
Gospel Reading: Mark 14: 1 to 15:41
*With Palm Sunday we begin the Holy week celebrations. Today we recall to mind Jesus' entry into the Jerusalem city to accomplish the Paschal mystery. The memorial of that historical event is celebrated during the Holy Mass with blessing of palms followed by the procession. Gospel from St. Mark gives us a glimpse of the events of that day when Jesus entered Jerusalem before the Paschal Feast. Thousands of people were in the city. Jesus started His journey from the village of Bethsaida. He sat on a colt and entered the city with people shouting "Hosanna to the Son of David." Jesus thus openly acknowledged that He was indeed a humble King and the long awaited Messiah(the anointed one). By His triumphant entry, Jesus invites us to acknowledge Him as our King and Messiah.
*First reading is from the book of Isaiah. Prophet Isaiah speaks of the suffering servant of the Lord God, the one who in spite of suffering and rejection, carries out his mission and totally trusts in the providence and guidance of the Lord God.
*Second reading is from St. Paul's letter to the Philippians. Paul asserts that Jesus was indeed in the form of God. But He became human and He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death so that we all might be saved. He accepted death on a cross but the Father has made Him Lord of heaven and earth. He reminds us that humiliation, sufferings and death are necessary to enter into glory.
Passion narrative: Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark's narration of the passion and death of Jesus. In the first part of today's Gospel, we have the scene from the Last Supper where Jesus instituted the Eucharist and gave Himself to His beloved disciples in the form of bread and wine. In the second part, Jesus prays at the garden of Gethsemane where He was deeply disturbed and troubled. In the garden He was betrayed by Judas Iscariot and later the denial by Peter took place. In the third part, Jesus is condemned to die on the cross by the Roman Governor Pilate who was pressurised by the Jewish authorities. When He was hanging on the cross He was derided and ridiculed. At the point of death of Jesus, a Roman soldier made a profession of faith in the crucified Son of God.
The happenings of the Holy week gives us an opportunity to look at our own lives. We must accept our sins and failures. Let us stop blaming circumstances and other people. What shines out from this dark week is the bright light of Christ's love for us. LET THE PASSION STORY INSPIRE US TO TRY IN OUR OWN WAY TO IMITATE THE CHRIST CRUCIFIED.
"Palm Sunday tells us that ....it is the cross that is the true tree of life." - Pope Benedict XVI
"Ride on.. ride on in majesty. In lowly pomp ride on to die. O Christ, thy triumph now begin O'er captive death and conquered sin." - Henry H Millman
"Sunday Homilies with Fr. Joy Joseph SVD " is available on YouTube. Kindly subscribe.The link of the Palm Sunday B: is given below: Palm Sunday: B, March 28, 2021
Also the link for the Good Friday B: "Seven words of Jesus from the Cross" is given below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJG0kMEjS2c
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