Friends, today is Palm Sunday. On this Sunday, our Mother Church celebrates the triumphant entry of Christ into Jerusalem in order to accomplish his Paschal Mystery. Palm Sunday begins the journey of Holy Week, the most important time in the life of the church year. The readings show both the joy of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and the suffering he faced in his final days. The people welcomed him as a king, but soon he was betrayed, denied, and sentenced to death. His suffering was not only physical but also emotional and spiritual. He experienced rejection, abandonment, and humiliation. Yet through it all, he remained faithful and trusted in God. Lord, you walked the path of suffering with love and patience. You were betrayed, denied, and abandoned, yet you remained faithful. Help me to follow your example. Give me strength in hard times, courage to stand by you, and a heart willing to serve others. Teach me to love as you love.
Friends, today’s celebration is full of symbols. The green palm is a symbol of peace; “He shall be the prince, and king of peace” (Is 11: 1-9; 9:6). It also represents royalty and restoration. The crowd symbolizes both praise and denial. The people welcomed him with cheers, waving palm branches and calling him their king. But soon, everything changed. He was betrayed, arrested, and sentenced to death. The same crowds that praised him later called for his crucifixion. Brothers and sisters, Jesus endured pain, rejection, and humiliation. He was beaten, mocked, and left to carry his cross alone. Even his closest friends abandoned him. Peter, who had promised to stand by him, denied knowing him three times. Judas, one of his own disciples, betrayed him for money. In his suffering, Jesus felt completely alone. On the cross, Jesus cried out, asking why God had forsaken him. This moment shows his deep pain, but it also connects him to anyone who has ever felt abandoned. People sometimes feel distant from God in times of suffering. The donkey is symbolic of Christ’s humility; “…He is humble. He rides on a donkey, the foal of a beast of burden” (Zac 9: 9).
Friends, following Jesus is not always easy. Jesus does not promise an easy life. He asks people to follow him in humility and service, even when it leads to suffering. Are we willing to follow him in this way? Jesus showed what true love looks like. He put others before himself. He accepted suffering instead of running from it. He forgave even those who hurt him. This is not the way of the world. The world teaches people to seek power, comfort, and success. Jesus teaches them to serve, sacrifice, and love. It is easy to admire Jesus from a distance. It is harder to live as he did. Following him means choosing kindness over selfishness, patience over anger, and trust over fear. It means carrying our own crosses, whatever they may be. It means forgiving when it is difficult and loving even those who hurt us. Today, we are reminded that true greatness comes from humility and love. As Holy Week begins, we are invited to walk with Jesus, to stand by him in his suffering, and to follow his example of selfless love. The Lord be with you …may the Almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I wish you a blessed Passion Sunday and a fruitful Holy Week ahead of you.
