Sixth Sunday of Lent - Palm Sunday (Luke 22:14-23:56 Liturgical Year C)

                                                             

“What could be more just than that you should serve him by whom you were created, without whom you cannot exist; and what could be more blessed or more sublime than to serve him? To serve him is to reign. “I will not serve,” man says to his Creator. “Then I will serve you,” his Creator says to man. “You sit down, I will minister, I will wash your feet. You rest; I will bear your weariness, your infirmities. Use me as you like in all your needs ....” Blessed Guerric of Igny

Palm Sunday

Liturgical Year A 2011, 2014, 2017 (Matthew 26:14-27:66)
Liturgical Year B 2012, 2015 ( Mark 14:1-15:47)
Liturgical Year C 2010, 2013 (Luke 22:14-23:56)

                                                                         

It was nearing the Feast of Passover when large crowds of pilgrims swelled the population of Jerusalem from a city of 60,000 to 300,000. The leaders of the Jews and the Romans were on edge, the time was ripe for rebellion. It was the 10th of Nisan, the day the every Jewish family “must procure for itself a lamb”… “without blemish” (Exodus 12:3,5) in accordance with God’s command to keep a memorial feast, “which all your generations shall celebrate”… “as a perpetual institution,” (Exodus 12:14) Jesus triumphantly enters into Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives riding on a donkey, as prophesied by Zachariah 9:9 in 520 B.C.

The promised Messiah, Jesus, the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,” as proclaimed by John the Baptist (John 1:29), unbeknown to the crowd of His ultimate purpose, presents Himself for inspection, just as the other lambs were inspected that day in preparation for their sacrificial slaughter on the 14th of Nisan. (Exodus 12:3-6)

The crowd sings praise, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.” (Luke 19:38) The Pharisees ask Jesus to silence the crowd. Jesus says in reply, “I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out.”

Sadly the crowds will prove fickle and before the week has passed almost all his followers will have deserted him. In a week’s time victory will have been purchased at a great price.

Blessings to all today, Palm Sunday, as we enter Holy Week. A week where we will celebrate the Last Supper, Jesus’ trial, crucifixion, death and finally His resurrection a week from today on Easter Sunday.

Without the Cross, there is no Crown.  Without Good Friday, there is no Easter Sunday.  Thank you Heavenly Father for the sacrifice of your sinless Son, for my sinful self. 

And Every Stone Shall Cry

Apostleship of Prayer

Fr. James Kubicki S.J.

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Art

Palm Sunday - Giotto
Palm Sunday - Fra Angelico