April 2, 2023

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

• Matthew 21: 1-11
• Isaiah 50:4-7
• Philippians 2: 6-11
• Matthew 26: 14-27: 66

Reflection Written by: Gayle Sommerfeld

Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem and marks the beginning of Holy Week, a period of intense reflection and spiritual preparation leading up to Easter Sunday, the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. This event is so important that it is in all four of the Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me” (Matthew 21:2). The use of a donkey was not accidental. In ancient times, a donkey was often associated with peace and humility, not as a symbol of power or strength.

This passage suggests that Jesus was intentionally fulfilling a prophecy from the book of Zechariah, who wrote, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9).

As Jesus enters Jerusalem, the crowds that had gathered to celebrate the Passover festival spread their cloaks and palm branches on the road. This was a customary act of homage given to royalty or dignitaries. The palm branches symbolize triumph, while the cloaks signify submission to the authority of the one being honored. The crowd shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matthew 21:9). The crowds who welcomed Jesus recognized him as the promised Messiah, the one who would save them from oppression and establish God’s kingdom on earth. They shouted “Hosanna,” which means “save us now.”

The cheering crowd would soon turn on Jesus. The religious leaders felt threatened by Jesus’ growing popularity, and they plotted to have him arrested and killed. In a few days, the same crowds who had welcomed him with palm branches and shouts of “Hosanna!” would soon cry out for his crucifixion. While many are genuinely enthusiastic about Jesus’ arrival, others were looking for a political savior who will overthrow the Roman occupation and establish a new kingdom of Israel. This may explain why the Pharisees, who are uncomfortable with Jesus’ growing popularity, say to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” (Matthew 21:15).

Jesus responds to their request by saying, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out” (Luke 19:40). This statement emphasizes the inevitability of Jesus’ mission and the fact that God’s plan cannot be thwarted by human opposition. It also reminds us that the ultimate significance of Palm Sunday lies not in the adulation of the crowd, but in the fulfillment of God’s plan for salvation.

Even as the crowd welcomed Jesus with joy and celebration, his entry into Jerusalem was the beginning of what might have been the end of the story. It was the start of a sequence of events that would lead to his arrest, trial, and crucifixion. Palm Sunday foreshadows the events of Good Friday when Jesus would be crucified on a cross. The palm branches laid in Jesus’ path would soon be replaced by thorns, and the shouts of “Hosanna!” would turn into cries of “Crucify him!” Palm Sunday is a reminder that the road to Easter Sunday is paved with suffering and sacrifice. It is also a reminder of our own need for salvation. We cannot save ourselves.

As we celebrate Palm Sunday, we are called to put our trust in Jesus and follow him. While Palm Sunday foreshadows Jesus’ Passion, it also points us towards the triumph of Easter. Jesus’ death on the cross was not the end – it was the beginning of a new life, a life of resurrection and hope. As we journey through Holy Week, we are invited to meditate on the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection and to renew our hope in the promises of God. The story of Palm Sunday is a story of hope and transformation. It is a reminder that no matter how dark and difficult our circumstances may be, God’s love and grace are always available to us. May we be open to the transforming power of Jesus’ love.

Questions for Reflection

• Are you like the crowds that welcomed him to Jerusalem with joy and enthusiasm, but later turned against him? Or are you like the disciples who followed him even when it was difficult and costly?
• We are challenged to examine our own motivations and expectations as we follow Jesus. Are we seeking him as the true source of salvation, or are we looking for him to meet our own desires and expectations?