- Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
Luke 22:14-23:56 or Luke 23:1-49
Luke 19:28-40
Isaiah 50:4-7
Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
Philippians 2:6-11
Luke 22:14-23:56 or Luke 23:1-49
Luke 19:28-40
Jesus proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.
As he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany
at the place called the Mount of Olives,
he sent two of his disciples.
He said, “Go into the village opposite you,
and as you enter it you will find a colt tethered
on which no one has ever sat.
Untie it and bring it here.
And if anyone should ask you,
‘Why are you untying it?’
you will answer,
‘The Master has need of it.’”
So those who had been sent went off
and found everything just as he had told them.
And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them,
“Why are you untying this colt?”
They answered,
“The Master has need of it.”
So they brought it to Jesus,
threw their cloaks over the colt,
and helped Jesus to mount.
As he rode along,
the people were spreading their cloaks on the road;
and now as he was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives,
the whole multitude of his disciples
began to praise God aloud with joy
for all the mighty deeds they had seen.
They proclaimed:
“Blessed is the king who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven
and glory in the highest.”
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him,
“Teacher, rebuke your disciples.”
He said in reply,
“I tell you, if they keep silent,
the stones will cry out!”
Opening Prayer: Lord God, I meditate today on the Passion of your Son. I am moved to tears as I contemplate his suffering for my sins. Many of Jesus’ disciples abandoned him in his passion. I do not want to imitate them. Help me be like Mary of Magdala and John the Apostle and accompany Jesus in his moments of agony.
Encountering the Word of God
1. The Humble Lord Enters Jerusalem: Bethany and Bethphage were villages on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. Bethany was about 2 miles from Jerusalem (John 11:18) and was the village of his three friends, Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. Jesus stayed at their house when he visited Jerusalem. When Jesus sent his disciples to get a colt for him, he told them to say to anyone who asked that “the Master” has need of it. The actual word used is “kyrios,” which means “Lord.” While it can be a deferential title, Luke’s readers know that when used for Jesus, it is a divine title. The Lord Jesus will enter Jerusalem for the Passover not on a war horse, but on a humble beast of burden.
2. The Davidic King Enters Jerusalem: By entering Jerusalem on a colt, the foal of a donkey, Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9: “Shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! Behold: your king is coming to you, a just savior is he, Humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” No one was permitted to ride on the king’s horse or sit on the king’s throne. That is why Luke emphasizes that “no one has ever sat” on this donkey. Because the colt is young, the disciples also bring the colt’s jenny to walk alongside it. The prophecy of Zechariah looks back to the story of the elevation of Solomon, the son of David, to the throne. David’s fourth son, Adonijah, tried to take over the kingship when his father David was old and infirm. Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon, intervened and David commanded that Solomon ride on his mule into the city, be washed in the Gihon, be anointed by the priest Zadok, and sit upon his throne (1 Kings 1:33-40). Just as Solomon, the son of David, was cheered by the crowd as he entered into Jerusalem and reigned as king, so the people cheered Jesus, the Son of David, as he entered into Jerusalem to be crowned and hailed as the King of the Jews.
3. The Sacrificial Lamb Enters Jerusalem: Jesus entered Jerusalem on the day when the lambs were selected for the Passover and brought into family homes and kept safe for four days. This was the 10th of Nisan. From the 11th day of Nisan through the 14th, the Lamb would be rigorously inspected for any blemish. When Jesus enters Jerusalem, he goes to the Temple, to his Father’s House, as the selected Lamb of sacrifice. He drives out the money changers and sellers of animals who have turned his Father’s House into a den of thieves. The old rite of animal sacrifice is coming to an end. The other lambs are no longer needed. The definitive Lamb, whom Abraham trusted God would provide, has been provided. Over the next few days, the Lamb of God will be tested and inspected by the religious authorities to see if he is innocent, without blemish, and worthy of being sacrificed to the Lord God.
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I kneel before your Cross today and revere you on the Cross. You loved me to the end and suffered for my sins. I unite my life and all that I am to you, asking that you transform my offering and present it to the Father.
Living the Word of God: How can I embrace suffering and sacrifice this Holy Week? What time will I dedicate to prayer and liturgy this week? How am I called to take up my cross today?
