Readings for Palm Sunday[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
At the Procession with Palms
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
At the Procession with Palms
Gospel Matthew 21:1-11
Jesus is now coming back to Jerusalem. The focus in St. Matthew’s Gospel is that Jesus came in fulfillment of scriptures. In spite of the fact that the cheering crowds must expect the “Royal Messiah” who comes according to the line of David “Hosanna to the Son of David;” we see the author quoting two distinct Old Testament prophecies: Isaiah 62:11 (Say to daughter Zion) and Zechariah 9:9. The true stature of the Lord is meant to correct the misunderstanding of the crowd as he reminds his Christian audience “Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.” The King the Jews would have expected would have been riding in a royal chariot.
At the Mass
Jesus is now coming back to Jerusalem. The focus in St. Matthew’s Gospel is that Jesus came in fulfillment of scriptures. In spite of the fact that the cheering crowds must expect the “Royal Messiah” who comes according to the line of David “Hosanna to the Son of David;” we see the author quoting two distinct Old Testament prophecies: Isaiah 62:11 (Say to daughter Zion) and Zechariah 9:9. The true stature of the Lord is meant to correct the misunderstanding of the crowd as he reminds his Christian audience “Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.” The King the Jews would have expected would have been riding in a royal chariot.
At the Mass
Reading I Isaiah 50:4-7
This is the third of four “Servant of the Lord” oracles in Isaiah. God chastises the people for not following the servant who willingly accepts God’s service and even the contempt of the people. The image of humble service is frequently associated with the suffering servant prophetic of Christ.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
The personal lament in Psalm 22 echoes the abuse and ridicule heaped on God’s servants and the faithful. This selection goes further, prophetically describing the Passion of the Lord (“…They have pierced my hands and my feet” and “They divide my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots.”)
Reading II Phil 2:6-11
This passage from Philippians is known as the Kenotic Hymn – The song of emptying. As part of St. Paul’s instructive letters, this is clearly to be used as a liturgical prayer or song. Used at the celebration of Palm Sunday, it provides a counter point to the elevated status of Jesus entry. The attitude of Christ is one of humility.
The Passion According to Matthew
This is the third of four “Servant of the Lord” oracles in Isaiah. God chastises the people for not following the servant who willingly accepts God’s service and even the contempt of the people. The image of humble service is frequently associated with the suffering servant prophetic of Christ.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
The personal lament in Psalm 22 echoes the abuse and ridicule heaped on God’s servants and the faithful. This selection goes further, prophetically describing the Passion of the Lord (“…They have pierced my hands and my feet” and “They divide my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots.”)
Reading II Phil 2:6-11
This passage from Philippians is known as the Kenotic Hymn – The song of emptying. As part of St. Paul’s instructive letters, this is clearly to be used as a liturgical prayer or song. Used at the celebration of Palm Sunday, it provides a counter point to the elevated status of Jesus entry. The attitude of Christ is one of humility.
The Passion According to Matthew
Matthew 26:14—27:66 or Matthew 27:11-54
The passion according to St. Matthew recounts the “Last Supper”, the “Prayer in the Garden”, Jesus arrest, trial, conviction, and execution. Detailed commentary will not be given; however, those who wish to spend the time are encouraged to review the footnotes from the USCCB site. The Passion of the Lord will be remembered again on Good Friday. It is fitting that during this Holy Week we should meditate upon the Lord’s great sacrifice.
Reflection:
There is a general rule that the Homily on Palm Sunday be focused on the first Gospel reading from Matthew that tells the story of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Like the light bulb that flashes brilliantly just before it is extinguished, the Lord enters the holy city on the eve of the great feast of Passover to the cheers; “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is the he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.” It is a prayer, this cry of the people.
And why, we ask, should they not pray? Jesus would be, by this time, well known to them. He had been seen performing “signs” and rumor must have reached them of even greater works attributed to him; feeding the multitudes, casting out demons of every sort. Here at last was one who preached peace and liberation. Here was the Messiah who would end there servitude and cast out the Romans.
The parts they probably had not heard were his attitude toward his fellow creatures. They must not have been familiar with the person of Jesus, only his reputation. Is it any wonder then when their religious leaders brought charges of blasphemy against him and the story of how he had submitted to them humbly to them reached the people they would turn against him? Is it surprising that, when their hopes were dashed after cheering his entry to the city that they would condemn him and free Barabbas?
Don’t we do the same thing when God does not perform according to our desires? Don’t we, even fleetingly, cry to God saying, “It’s not fair, why do you abandon me?” Can we really blame the crowd in Jerusalem for their ignorance? This is our lesson, the one played out in the Blood of the Lamb. Rather than weeping for our God who willingly went to his death that we might win life with him, we rejoice that one so great could love us so much.
Pax
The passion according to St. Matthew recounts the “Last Supper”, the “Prayer in the Garden”, Jesus arrest, trial, conviction, and execution. Detailed commentary will not be given; however, those who wish to spend the time are encouraged to review the footnotes from the USCCB site. The Passion of the Lord will be remembered again on Good Friday. It is fitting that during this Holy Week we should meditate upon the Lord’s great sacrifice.
Reflection:
There is a general rule that the Homily on Palm Sunday be focused on the first Gospel reading from Matthew that tells the story of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Like the light bulb that flashes brilliantly just before it is extinguished, the Lord enters the holy city on the eve of the great feast of Passover to the cheers; “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is the he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.” It is a prayer, this cry of the people.
And why, we ask, should they not pray? Jesus would be, by this time, well known to them. He had been seen performing “signs” and rumor must have reached them of even greater works attributed to him; feeding the multitudes, casting out demons of every sort. Here at last was one who preached peace and liberation. Here was the Messiah who would end there servitude and cast out the Romans.
The parts they probably had not heard were his attitude toward his fellow creatures. They must not have been familiar with the person of Jesus, only his reputation. Is it any wonder then when their religious leaders brought charges of blasphemy against him and the story of how he had submitted to them humbly to them reached the people they would turn against him? Is it surprising that, when their hopes were dashed after cheering his entry to the city that they would condemn him and free Barabbas?
Don’t we do the same thing when God does not perform according to our desires? Don’t we, even fleetingly, cry to God saying, “It’s not fair, why do you abandon me?” Can we really blame the crowd in Jerusalem for their ignorance? This is our lesson, the one played out in the Blood of the Lamb. Rather than weeping for our God who willingly went to his death that we might win life with him, we rejoice that one so great could love us so much.
Pax
Please Pray for Esther
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem” by Benjamin Robert Haydon, 1814-20
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem” by Benjamin Robert Haydon, 1814-20
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