Palm/Passion Sunday, Year A Hosanna To Our King Who Comes In Glory
Readings: (Mt 21:1-11); 1st: 50: 4-7; Ps 21: 8-24; 2nd: Phil 2:6-8; Gos: Mt 26:14 26:66)
Today is Palm Sunday. On this Sunday, the Church celebrates the triumphant entry of Christ into Jerusalem in order to accomplish his Paschal Mystery. Today, all the readings highlight the humility of Christ.
Today’s celebration is full of symbols. The green palm is a symbol of peace: (Is 11: )“He shall be the prince, and king of peace” It also represents royalty and restoration. The crowd symbolizes both praise and denial. This is because, the same crowd singing “hosanna” today, soon will shout, “crucify him!” Finally, the donkey is symbolic of Christ’s humility: “…He is humble. He rides on a donkey.
In the second reading, Paul reminds us of the greatness and depth of Jesus’ humility. He recalled the kenosis (self-emptying) of Jesus: “though he was in the form of God he did not count equality with God…He humbled himself till death.”
As we know that Humility and simplicity attract both God and humans. On the contrary, pride make one disgusting. Pride simply leads to humiliation and shame.
Today’s gospel is from the passion narrative of Christ. It could be divided into three scenes: the arrest of Christ, his accusation before Roman authorities, and his suffering and death.
It is a drama of both praise and betrayal. It started like a comedy but seems to end like a tragedy.
Hence, the journey that started with praises (Hosanna, Hosanna), eventually ended with castigation (crucify Him, crucify him). However, at both ends, God is still at work and in control because: “We know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Rom 8, 28).
We are well aware of the situation in our country and all over the world regarding coronavirus. COVID-19 challenges our Faith and mission.
What is our mission? Our mission is to build communion and bring people closer to God, yet at this time of crisis, we need to surrender ourselves to Isolation.
Keeping social distance from each other, which means truly we care for each other because we want to stop the transmission of the deadly virus.
The Most painful reality is that the churches are closed, no masses for the Holy Week and Easter. And we see in the news around the world people are praying in their homes, parents, children grandparents, everyone kneeling and praying.
Through the passion of Jesus Christ, He has become our role model, while His cross has become our symbol of hope and salvation.
Finally, as we sing hosanna, today, let us ask God to keep us faithful and pray for all who are overwhelmed with fear and anxiety by the COVID-19 pandemic, that they will be let to peace by Gods loving and liberating Spirit.
Together let us pray to OUR MOTHER MARY, one hail Mary………
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Amen.
Fr John Paul Pasala
Parish Priest
