PALM SUNDAY
This Sunday is Palm Sunday when Jesus entered Jerusalem his own city. From the ashes of Ash Wednesday we have almost gone through our annual observance of Lent with three more days to come as we head towards Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday the Easter Triduum. On Palm Sunday, we celebrate our Lord’s triumphant entrance into Jerusalem where he was welcomed by crowds worshipping him and laying down palm leaves before him. In the Roman Empire people used palm branches and other greenery as a sign of welcome and respect as important people entered their towns and cities. The Gospels record that this is what many people in Jerusalem did for Jesus as they proclaimed him as the messiah. Palm Sunday also marks the beginning of Holy Week, with the hope of Holy Thursday the sorrow of Good Friday and then the triumph of the resurrection on Easter Sunday.
As we end the season of Lent it isn’t really the end as we all know that events of the first Holy Week were the beginning and here we are in 2025 remembering the life changing events that took place during the first holy week. So now in the context of faith we stop and ponder where our Lenten journey has taken us and what Holy Week is about. It is simply not just about the death of Jesus on Calvary it is about a great deal more and the cross is one of the central parts of this week. The first reading from Isaiah, speaks about prophet’s unwavering faith in God’s help and faithfulness in times of struggle, opposition and ridicule, and his determination to continue proclaiming God’s message despite the challenges he faced. “I have set my face like flint” set my face against the beatings and scourging that lie ahead, “knowing that I shall not be put to shame.” The second reading highlights the humility and obedience of Jesus in his sacrifice for humanity, emphasizing his willingness to empty himself and become a servant, ultimately submitting to death on the cross. The passage calls for believers to follow Jesus’ example of humility and service, recognizing him as Lord and King of all. In the Gospel we hear the how the crowd goes from rejoicing and singing Hosanna to the Son of David to calling out crucify him, crucify him.
The entrance into Jerusalem is one of the very few events in Jesus’ life which is mentioned in all four gospels. It is the only time that Jesus accepts and encourages public acclaim as Messiah even at that time it wasn’t really about him it was about doing his father’s will. He even goes as far as organising his entrance by telling the disciples to go and fetch the donkey. The key moment in God’s great plan of salvation is about to begin and Jesus knows exactly how it will unfold and where he will end up. As we reflect upon the story of Jesus going up to Jerusalem we recommit ourselves to Jesus and his message of salvation. On Palm Sunday we feel a certain amount of embarrassment when we cry out “Crucify Him” with the palm branches still in our hands. It reminds us of our own fickle responses and our lack of courage in responding to Gods love for us. Yet as we know it was all our sins that brought Jesus to Calvary. Holy Week is a time for us to realize what we are like, and to find that the only remedy for our fears is the love of God shown to us through Jesus his Son. As we listen to the Passion story we are called to respond as God’s family, we are called to look out for one another. It’s not just about “me” It’s about “us” and our hope filled journey of faith. Our journey is one of hope and love so let us not be afraid to go into the hope and love of Holy Thursday and the sorrow of Good Friday so that we will be able to celebrate the bright light that is Jesus resurrection at Easter.
Fullerton T 