PALM SUNDAY, YEAR A

Procession: Matthew 21:1-11

Mass: Isaiah 50:4-7; 

           Philippians 2:6-11;

           Matthew 26:14—27:66

               THE LAST DAYS OF JESUS ON EARTH

Today marks the beginning of the Holy Week. We are called upon to follow Jesus and live with him the last events of his earthly life. Unfortunately, the conditions imposed on us by the COVID-19 pandemic make it impossible for us to participate in the liturgies that mark the Holy Week as we usually do.  Nevertheless, we accept with gratitude the will of God in these trying moments, knowing that everything that happens is good. Consequently, I invite you to be in communion with us priests as we celebrate these liturgies and implore God’s mercy on us all and on the whole world. 

In today’s liturgy, we normally commemorate the triumphant entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem amid the jubilation and chants of Hosanna of the crowd. Jesus entered the holy city, where he would suffer, die, be buried and resurrect for our redemption (Matt. 21:1-11). The procession with palms celebrates, in its multiple aspects, the triumph and the victory of Jesus as the Son of David and the Messiah. Meanwhile the Mass readings evoke the hard and painful conditions of this victory. These include the persecutions endured like the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 50:4-7), his humility and his obedience until death on the cross (Philippians 2:6-11) and his sorrowful Passion (Matthew 26:14—27:66).

After listening to these readings, we cannot but ask ourselves some questions. How many times have we not betrayed those who trusted us? How often have we not turned back to humiliate the same people we had appreciated? How many times have we not been accomplice to the atrocities against some people and to the condemnation of the innocents? How many times have we not exchanged justice and our integrity with the fear of losing our friends or our position? How often do we not sacrifice others on the altars of our pride, selfish desires and shameful ambitions or out of jealousy? 

In any case, whether we are agents or victims of such acts, we must always remember that God will surely save the just and the innocent. He will not put them to shame. Moreover, during this Holy Week, let us not forget that Jesus went freely into Jerusalem to die for our redemption. By the merits of our Lord’s sorrowful Passion, may God hear our prayer and save us from the dreadful consequences of the Corona virus pandemic. Amen