Reflections for Passion Sunday
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Prayer
Loving God, you have given the human race Jesus Christ our
Savior as a model of humility. He fulfilled your will by becoming man and
giving his life on the cross. Help us to bear witness to you by following his
example of suffering and make us worthy to share in his resurrection. We ask
this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
1st Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7
This passage from Isaiah is clearly pointing to the theme of
this Palm Sunday. In it, we read the steadfast loyalty of a true servant of
God. It reveals to the reader what the future Messiah will be for all of
Israel. The Messaih (King) will be a suffering servant for the sake of God’s
people.
Jesus the Christ (the word means King) is the suffering
servant whose fidelity to God comes with a price. As Isaiah fortells, the King
of Kings does not rebell against the Father:
“I have not rebelled ... I gave my back to those who beat me
... my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.”
On this Passion Sunday, we give thanks to God who sent us his
faithful Son to suffer and die for our infidelity. His death sealed for us a
covenant with God that would be everlasting.
Questions
Have you ever wondered why God would go through so much to
become one with us and suffer for our sins? Why do you think God would do this
for our world? Why would he do this for you?
2nd Reading: Philippians 2:6-11
In this beautiful reading, we see the descent of the divine
Word and the ascent of humanity in Jesus the Christ. In these few words, Paul
delivers the mission and purpose of Jesus.
The Descent: (1) Christ, who is in the form of God, (2) does
not equate himself with God, but (3) takes the form of a human, (4) is enslaved
(5) and humbled (6) to the point of death on a cross.
The Ascent: Because of this, God enthrones the Christ (the
anointed King) and places his name (Jesus) above every other name. The
humiliated one now receives genuflections and acclamations, “Jesus Christ is
Lord!”
This Palm Sunday reminds us that the Christ entered
Jerusalem triumphantly to embrace the cross. Paul reminds us that the Christ
began his journey to his Passover moment long before he entered the gates of
Jerusalem. The Church reminds us that, from the first sin of Adam, the
pre-existent Word of God was silently, mysteriously, and deliberately
descending from the heavens to be Jesus (meaning, God Saves!)
Question
Has this Lenten period helped you to “humble” yourself or
descend from your own sense of pride?
Gospel: Matthew 26:14-27:66
The passion accounts in Matthew, Mark, and Luke (also known
as the synoptic gospels because of their similarities) are proclaimed in their
respective cycles according to our Church calendar. Matthew’s passion account
is proclaimed this year (Cycle A). Mark’s account will be proclaimed next year
(Cycle B) and Luke’s in (Cycle C) the year following. The Gospel of John
includes a passion account that differs greatly from the accounts of the
synoptic gospels. For this reason, John is read each year on Good Friday.
For the most part, Matthew’s account of Jesus’ passion
follows the Gospel of Mark. It is interesting to note that Matthew is the only
evangelist who mentions Judas’ suicide. Notice that Judas actually does come to
see the error of his ways. He knows that he has wrongly betrayed Jesus. He is
truly contrite, confesses, tries to make amends, but is unable to accept that
he is worthy of grace and forgiveness. So, in an act of total desperation, he
ends his life.
Despair is the opposite of the virtue of Hope.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reads: In every
circumstance, each one of us should hope, with the grace of God, to persevere
“to the end.” (Catechism, 1821).
We have all sinned, but we cannot despair. Hope in Christ,
who came to call sinners to himself. This is the very reason why we celebrate
this Holiest of Weeks!
Question
How has my Lenten Season given me hope?
