Passion Sunday [Palm Sunday] (Year C)

Lk 19.28-40;  
Isaiah 50.4-7;  
Ps 21;  
Phil 2.6-11;  
Lk 22.14-23.56 

TAKE A BOLD STEP INTO PERSONAL HOLINESS TODAY AS YOU WALK WITH JESUS IN HIS PASSION.

Throughout much of His ministry, Our Lord masterfully veiled His true identity, creating an air of mystery around who He was. After performing miraculous healings, He often whispered, “Tell no one.” When questioned by the Pharisees, His responses were cryptic: “You say so.” Time and again in the gospels, He skillfully avoided revealing His divine nature, suggesting the time for such revelations had not yet arrived.

But everything changed on that remarkable Palm Sunday! Jesus boldly stepped into the spotlight. His time had come, and He made an unmistakable statement through His actions. With intent and symbolism, He claimed His role as the promised Messiah. Riding into Jerusalem on a humble donkey, He merged the glory of His divine arrival with an extraordinary humility, as the Son of David was borne by a lowly creature.

This captivating entrance ignited the passion of the crowd! Their ecstatic shouts of “Hosanna!” – meaning “God saves” – echoed their recognition of Christ as the long-awaited Messiah who would fulfill God’s grand plan. They spread their garments before Him, crafting a vibrant carpet of palms and cloaks, a red-carpet welcome for a figure of true significance!

The uproar unnerved the religious leaders. Some frantically urged Jesus to quiet the joyous frenzy, to rein in the crowd. But Jesus would not suppress the jubilant celebration of that moment. The shouts weren’t just for personal jubilation; they represented the joyful culmination of centuries of hope for Israel. The long-anticipated Messiah had arrived, and all of Israel—the past, present, and future—rejoiced through the clamor of this vibrant crowd.

When urged by the Jewish leaders to calm the excitement, Jesus suggested a cosmic celebration: “I tell you, even if these remain silent, the stones themselves will cry out.” Picture this—enthusiastic tour guides in the Holy Land often point to a pile of stones near Jerusalem, declaring them to be the very stones that would have sung out if the crowd were hushed!

Now, as we embark on the Passion journey, there’s no holding back! The shouts of that first Palm Sunday may have echoed just in the streets of Jerusalem, but their reverberations have swept across the globe. In the powerful proclamation of His Passion, Christ stretches His arms wide on the Cross, inviting all to come to Him. When He breathed His last, the earth trembled and darkened. His suffering, death, and resurrection resonate with universal significance, impacting every heart and changing the very fabric of the world—felt in heaven, hell, and everywhere in between.

As we commemorate Christ’s magnificent entry into Jerusalem, we find ourselves embarking on an exhilarating journey through the depths and heights of human experience. Together, we accompany our Savior through both agony and triumph, revealing that God’s love embraces every corner of existence. There’s no sin too great to be forgiven, and no heart too far to believe in Christ and share in His death and rebirth.

This week presents each of us an exhilarating opportunity to take up our own crosses and follow Christ. The scriptures and the liturgy invite us to walk beside Him, absorb His words, and align ourselves with His actions. Let’s take a bold step forward on the journey to personal holiness! But remember, our commitment and prayers are part of something much bigger—a collective experience. We strive for a fulfilling Holy Week, not only for ourselves but to spread the saving power of Christ’s Passion deeper into the hearts of all.

Share this vibrant message with those who may not yet know Christ. Encourage those who have drifted away to return to the Church this week. Invite someone on the fringes to experience the full beauty of the Triduum and see Our Lord for themselves. Let’s unite in prayer for a world that Christ died to save!

Fr Joseph Osho