THE TRIUMPHANT ENTRY OF JESUS INTO JERUSALEM
Gospel for procession: Matthew 21: 1-11
First Reading: Isaiah 50: 4-7
Second Reading: Philippians 2: 6-11
Gospel Reading: Matthew 26: 14 to 27: 66
Today we commemorate the Lord's triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem. Jesus enters the city to fulfill God's plan of salvation culminating in His suffering and death on the cross.
*Gospel for procession: A detailed narration of Jesus's entry into Jerusalem is given. Jesus goes to the city not as a conquering King but as a gentle and humble bearer of the good news, traveling on a donkey. People in the city enthusiastically welcome Him with much gladness and gaiety. They joyfully sing 'Hosanna to the Son of God'.
*First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah speaks of his own sufferings in order to carry out the mission entrusted to him by the Lord God. In spite of his numerous sufferings Isaiah is sustained by the firm belief that the Lord God would not abandon him. Sufferings of Isaiah are a pre-figuration of the sufferings of Jesus the Messiah.
*Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Philippians. Paul tells us that although Jesus is God, He takes on Himself human condition and accepts death on the cross. So God the Father raises Him up and makes Him the Lord of heaven and earth.
The passion and sufferings of Jesus Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. A detailed account of the passion and sufferings of the Lord Jesus is given. How the prophecies of the scriptures are fulfilled in Jesus is emphasized. It is amazing to observe that perfectly religious and sane people are capable of siding with the evil or doing evil in certain situations. This is very much evident from the happenings on Good Friday, when the people who are apparently righteous put Jesus to death or collude with the people who do the heinous crime. We meet the following people in the Gospel today. 1. The Pharisees: These are austere and religious men who devote all their energy for religion and have a good knowledge of the law. They are very sure of their righteousness which leads them to evil. 2. Caiaphas: A man who upholds religious orthodoxy and does not want anyone to oppose it. 3. Pilate: A man who only thinks about his own chair. He fully knows that Jesus is innocent. Yet he condemns Him because he is afraid of the Jewish authorities. 4. Judas: A disappointed and disillusioned man who thinks it is not wrong to betray his master. 5. Peter: A weak and cowardly man. To protect his skin, he is ready to disown his master. Holy week is the time to look at ourselves and find out where we stand in this drama of the passion of the Lord. It is always easy to condemn others and throw stones at Judas, Peter, Caiaphas, Pilate and the Pharisees.
"Palm Sunday tells us that it is the Cross that is the true tree of life." - Late Pope Benedict XIV
"Palm Sunday is like a glimpse of Easter. It is a little bit joyful after being somber during Lent." - L. Gele
"It is Palm Sunday and so begins our journey with Jesus from Jerusalem's gate to Golgotha's Cross to Easter's triumph." - Anon
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