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 city of Jerusalem to accomplish the Pascal mystery. The memorial of that historical event is celebrated during the holy Mass with the blessing of palms followed by procession. Gospel from St. Mark gives us a glimpse of the events of that day when Jesus entered Jerusalem before the Pascal Feast. Thousands of people are in the city. Jesus begins His journey from the village of Bethsaida. He sits on a colt and enters the city with people shouting : "Hosanna to the Son of David". Jesus openly acknowledges that He is 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 sufferings and rejection, carries out his mission. He totally trusts in the providence and the guidance of the Lord God.
*Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to the Philippians. Paul firmly asserts that Jesus was indeed in the form of God. But He becomes human and He humbles Himself and becomes obedient unto death so that we all might be saved. Jesus accepts death on the cross but the Father has made Him Lord of heaven and earth. Paul reminds us that humiliation, sufferings and death are necessary pre-condition to enter into heavenly glory.
The 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 institutes the Eucharist and gives 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 is deeply disturbed and troubled. In the garden, Jesus is betrayed by Judas Iscariot and later Peter denies Him three times. In the third and final part, Jesus is condemned to die on the cross by the Roman Governor Pilate who was pressurized by the Jewish authorities. When Jesus hangs on the cross, He is derided and ridiculed. At the point of death of Jesus, a Roman soldier makes a profession of faith in the crucified Son of God. The happenings of the Holy week give us an opportunity to look at our own lives. We must accept our many 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
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