Palm Sunday [C]:Is50: 4-7;Phil 2:6-11; Lk: 22:14-23;56/23:1-49

Palm Sunday [C]:Is50: 4-7;Phil 2:6-11; Lk: 22:14-23;56/23:1-49

On Palm Sunday Christians celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, the week before his death and resurrection. For many Christian churches, Palm Sunday, often referred to as "Passion Sunday," marks the beginning of Holy Week, which concludes on Easter Sunday.

The crowd was enthusiastic.  They waved palms, cried Hosanna, and hailed the Messiah’s entrance into Jerusalem.  As the prophet Zechariah had foretold in the ninth chapter of his Book, the Savior came meek, riding on an ass.  The world was being turned upside down.  The time of the Messiah was here. But he was a very different type of Messiah. He was not a military leader.  He entered the city in a humble way, on a donkey.  He would be driven out of the city in an even lower way, carrying a cross.

We are tempted to consider Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem, but ignore His exit from the city.  It is easy to join in the joyful celebrations of our faith.  We go to Church on Christmas and Easter and leave full of warmth.  We go to confession or receive Communion and feel His love within us.  We present our children for Baptism, Communion and Confirmation, and overflow with love for them and the God who calls them to Himself. We attend a retreat or conference and have a deep experience of the Lord’s presence.  And so we say, “Isn’t it great to be a Catholic?” In these and many other ways we join the crowd welcoming the Messiah into our city, into our lives.

Then we realize that the palms are followed by the passion. And the joy of experiencing the Presence of the Lord is followed by His demand to join Him in the journey of sacrificial love, in the journey up to Calvary.

Joke: At Sunday school they were learning how God created everything, including human beings. Johnny was especially intent when the teacher told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam's ribs.

Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill, and said, "Johnny, what is the matter?"

Johnny responded, "I have pain in my side. I think I'm going to have a wife."

Journey to Calvary is difficult, at times even overwhelming.  And we sometimes misinterpret. We know that we are called to stand apart from the immoral aspects of society.  We know that we are called to be holy.  But we are continually drawn in to join those who don’t for a second care about God.  Certainly they see no relationship between their actions and their own Creator.  They are the vocal majority.  They host the best parties with all the worst elements.  They confuse freedom with licentiousness.  They tell us to abort the child and join the party. They laugh at our decision to care for a special needs child.  “Look at all you are missing,” they say. And we can be overwhelmed by our decision to choose the Lord rather than go along with the crowd.

Practical Applications: 1) Let us become like the humble donkey that carried Jesus by radiating Jesus’ universal love, unconditional forgiveness and sacrificial service in our families, work places and communities. 2) Make a good examination of conscience and join with the helpers of the carrying of the cross for Jesus.

Introduction: Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

Message: Jesus, humbling himself out of love for us, did not shield his face from buffets and spitting, but offered his life on the cross.  He relied on his Father’s love.

Holy Week: 26^th Tuesday: Chrism Mass at Cathedral; 28^th: Holy Thursday of the Lord’s Supper; 29th: Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord; 30th- Holy Saturday: The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night. 31st: Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord.