Gospel Reflection Apr 14 – Deacon Paul
Sunday, April 14
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
Luke 19: 28 – 40
At The Procession With Palms – Gospel:
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!”
Reflection:
Today, the Church celebrates both Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday. It is on Palm Sunday that we enter Holy Week and it marks Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem five days before his crucifixion. It is during Holy Week that we welcome Jesus into our lives, asking Him to allow us to share in His suffering, death, and Resurrection.
We commemorate and relive during this week our own dying to sin and selfishness and rising in Jesus, which result in our healing, reconciliation, and redemption. We must ask ourselves, are we ready to surrender our lives to Jesus this Holy Week and welcome Him into all areas of our lives? Are we ready to become like the humble colt that carried Jesus and carry Him to a world that does not know Him? Are we willing to follow Jesus, not just to Church but in our lives? Are we willing to entrust ourselves to Him even when the future is frightening or confusing?
Friends, let us remember that this is a Holy Week, not because it is sad, but it is a Holy Week because together we walk this road with Christ. It begins as it ends, in triumph, to remind us that suffering is a journey with a goal, not a winding road that leads to nowhere. The end of the journey is the resurrection, a new kind of existence. The way to that new life is through the cross and the tomb. It is a road that Jesus himself traveled. And He accompanies us along the way today and every day of our lives. During this most Holy Week, may the time you spend reflecting on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus bring you a greater awareness of GOD’s love for you!
Deacon Paul Zemanek