Palm Sunday

When they drew near Jerusalem and came to Beth- phage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tethered, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them here to me. And if anyone should say anything to you, reply, ‘The master has need of them.’ Then he will send them at once.” . . . The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road. The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.”

And when he entered Jerusalem the whole city was shaken and asked, “Who is this?” And the crowds replied, “This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee.”

—Matthew 21:1–3, 8–11

Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem begins Holy Week, the days leading up to our commemoration of his Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Jesus enters the city with throngs of supporters, but he will die with only a few by his side. Most will deny him, betray him, walk away from him, or call for his crucifix- ion because he does not come to overthrow the political power of Rome, as they expected of the Messiah. But those who stay with him are richly rewarded, for they witness the Resurrection.

Pray as the crowd chanted: “Hosanna, to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.” Invite Jesus into your heart to save you from sin and death.

 This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.

Responsorial psalms are excerpted from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Other scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.