Read the Readings Here
At the Procession with Palms - Gospel
Matthew 21:1-11
Reading I
Isaiah 50:4-7
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
Reading II
Philippians 2:6-11
Gospel
Matthew 26:14—27:66
Reflection
Today’s readings present the Passion of Christ—from the moment of His triumphant entry into Jerusalem to the sealing of His tomb. The progression from crowds shouting His praise to soldiers spitting on Him shows us a God who has entered both human joy and utter abandonment. If ever we feel forsaken, derided, tortured, and alone, we know that God Himself feels it with us.
The Lord does not only offer empathy in our trials, but also the grace to endure and an example of what holy suffering looks like. In Jesus, true strength is both demonstrated and given.
Our first reading describes the posture of Christ amidst His passion: “The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.” Indeed, Jesus silently endures betrayal, capture, mockery, and torture, quietly secure in the Father’s plan, giving Himself over for our sakes.
This quiet strength does not mean that Jesus never felt anguish—we hear it during His prayer in Gethsemane and in His words from the cross. However, even Jesus’ moments of deepest distress become acts of trust. His prayer in Gethsemane ends with “Your will be done.” On the cross, He quotes Psalm 22, today’s Responsorial Psalm, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” In these few words, Jesus likely means to invoke the whole prayer, which He would have known by heart as a practicing Jew. This psalm opens with true grief but concludes in praise: “I will proclaim your name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly, I will praise you…” Thus, we behold a portrait of true pain and true sanctity.
None of us could bear what Jesus bore with such trusting surrender on our own. Christ not only demonstrates this holiness but also makes it available to us when we unite our crosses to His. Jesus did not need to suffer, He chose to so that He could give meaning and hope to our suffering—and ultimately conquer it for us.
How undeserving we are of this gift! Today’s readings are a clear mirror of our own fickle hearts: praising Jesus when life is going well, crucifying Jesus when He seems demanding. Yet, Jesus’ love is undying.
Jesus has never ceased to embody and offer this love. In every Mass, we participate in each scene that unfolds in today’s Gospel. The Holy Eucharist makes present Christ’s offering at the Last Supper and on the cross. As Christ’s true body becomes a part of our own, we are united wholly with the Savior who has already overcome every horror.
On this Palm Sunday, let us give thanks to the Lord for showing us true strength and then giving it to us through His cross, and continually through His Church.
Please be assured of my prayers for you before Our Lord, present in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
+ Bishop Schlert
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