This Sunday we celebrate Palm Sunday and focus on the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Palms are blessed and distributed to the faithful on this day to be used for personal devotion throughout the year. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week during which we commemorate the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus.
Commenting on this day, our late Holy Father, Pope Francis stated, “…as we joyfully acclaim our King, let us also think of the sufferings that he will have to endure in this week. Let us think of the slanders and insults, the snares and betrayals, the abandonment to an unjust judgment, the blows, the lashes and the crown of thorns…and lastly, the way of the cross leading to the crucifixion.”
Pope Francis also reminded us that the final victory of Jesus would be achieved through the passion and cross and challenged us to choose to follow his way. He stated, “Let us ask for the grace to follow Jesus faithfully, not in words but in deeds. Let us also ask for the patience to carry our own cross, not to refuse it or set it aside, but rather, in looking to him, to take it up and to carry it daily.”
The following prayer called “A Prayer for Palm Sunday Reflection” provided by the media outlet, “Prayerlit”, encourages the faithful to truly embrace a spiritual focus as we begin our journey during Holy Week:
Dear Lord,
as we celebrate Palm Sunday, I come before You with a heart full of gratitude and reverence.
Help me reflect on the significance of this day, when Jesus entered Jerusalem as a humble King.
May I remember His sacrifice and the love that led Him to the cross.
Fill my heart with humility and gratitude as I walk through this Holy Week.
Amen
As we reflect on this prayer, we are strongly encouraged to participate in our upcoming liturgical services during Holy Week, striving to more fully appreciate what Jesus did for us, what Jesus means to us. We are also encouraged to invite family members and friends to join us. Please carefully review the schedule of our Masses and our other liturgical services for the week and plan to participate to the extent possible. Details can be found in the Parish bulletin and on the Parish website.
Today, as we celebrate and experience the joy of Palm Sunday, as we shout “Hosanna”, we are challenged to heed the profound words of Pope Francis and focus on following the way of Christ during this special time of grace.