Palm Sunday (Cycle A, Year II)

Community Word: The Risen Lord strengthens our hope for eternal life.

Theme: Our hope of eternal life is strengthened when we obey the Father’s Will as we endure our sufferings.

Promise: “From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Father.” (Mt. 26:64)

Reflection:
Palm Sunday marks the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, an event initially received with much jubilation, because people were looking forward to the coming of the Messiah, a King who would deliver them from slavery and poverty, and rule over them. They lined the streets waving palm leaves, shouting out as they welcomed Jesus – “Hosanna, Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.” Yet, in less than a week’s time, this same crowd of people would be crying out for his blood, shouting – “Crucify him, crucify him.”

The Gospel for Matthew tells us about the passion of Jesus in great detail, from the betrayal by Judas for thirty silver, to his death on the cross, prodding us to reflect deeply on our own journey and attitude towards many of life’s challenges, pain, and suffering.

As we read this reflection, the whole world is experiencing a passion of its own because of Covid-19. Now a pandemic, this deadly disease has taken us by surprise and shaken the whole world. Extreme measures have been taken to combat the disease, including locking down of cities and even of whole nations, halting everything to arrest the proliferation of the deadly virus, an enemy we do not see, but whose devastating effect is visible globally.

But, amidst all the hysteria, for those of us who believe in the Risen Christ, we know that God is speaking to us through these events, not to scare us, but like a Good Shepherd tending his flock, to beckon us to come back to Him. Especially, to those of us who are lost to the world, Covid-19 forces us to stay put in our homes and pray sincerely from the heart, and to worship God in Spirit and in Truth.

“Then Jesus said to them, “This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed,” (Mt 26:31). Jesus was speaking about his passion and death, the dispersal of his followers, betrayal by a friend, and his disciples’ denial of him. Was His not a more painful experience than what we are experiencing now? He continues in verse 32: “But after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee.” This is a message of hope, a call to trust God and exercise our faith in Him who is our Savior and Deliverer. The suffering and death of Jesus have a deeper meaning and purpose, and that is to save us, His people, from condemnation. His death on the cross may look like defeat to the people who mocked him. But to those who believe, it is His gospel of love. “The Lord God is my help therefore I am not disgraced…I shall not be put to shame,” (Isaiah 50:7).

When we empty ourselves in union with Jesus and look to the welfare of others more than our own, when we die to self, to our pride and possessions, when we forgive and make peace, collaborate, cooperate, and share our talents and resources with one another, Jesus’ sufferings become redemptive victory, for those of us who believe and follow, this is a good way to understand, and view our own sufferings. God is sovereign. Covid-19 confronts us with the way we respond to this call to love God above all else, and to love our fellowmen as ourselves. We are forced to assess our priorities in life, and how deep our faith is and trust in Him. “Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak,” (Mt.26:41).

Let us be reminded that the palm branches we will raise to be blessed on Palm Sunday symbolize that Christ is King of our families and of our hearts. Jesus Christ is the only answer to our quest for true happiness and meaning, despite the many challenges we face today. Let us be reminded that our jobs and businesses, our finances, our homes, and material needs are temporary and that we hope to spend eternity with Christ. Only as we prioritize Him as King of our lives can we find true peace in our complex world.

Jesus embraced His passion because of His great love for humankind. As we celebrate Palm Sunday, let us welcome and obey the “enhanced community quarantine” imposed by our respective governments. Let us journey through the Holy Week with a positive mindset. God, with His permissive will, allowed this Covid-19 to happen to the whole world to shake us from our sinfulness and complacency, to give us more time to focus on Him, to be more prayerful, repentant, and open to conversion and to His transforming love, especially as we serve Him in the mission areas.

To be truly members of BLD, let us fulfill and live up to our theme for the week – Our hope for eternal life is strengthened when we obey the Father’s will as we endure our sufferings. Because God assures us in this promise for the week: “From now on, you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Father,” (Mt 26:64).

Prayer:
Father God, we thank You for drawing us unto Yourself amidst the pandemic of Covid-19, for to whom shall we go but to You, O loving God, our Protector. We hide in the shadow of Your wings as we place our trust in You. Make us be Your humble donkeys to carry You to the world and spread the Good News of our salvation; Your earthen vessels of love especially to those who are lost, the sick, the dying, the hungry, those imprisoned and isolated and lonely. May the blessed palm leaves we take home remind us always that You are the King of our families and of our hearts. Amen.

Reflection Questions:
1. During this pandemic and uncertain times, who and where are we in the crowd as described in the Gospel? What kind of follower of Christ are we, now and going to be?
2. What am I asked to give up or self-deny, that I may serve the purpose for which I am called by God? Am I ready to be a “humble donkey” to bring Jesus to the world?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
April 5, 2020 (Sun) – Is 50:4-7/Ps 22:8-9, 17, 20, 23, 24/Phil 2:6-11/Mt 26:14-27:66
April 6, 2020 (Mon) – Is 42:1-7/Ps 27:1-3, 13, 14/Jn 12:1-11
April 7, 2020 (Tues) – Is 49:1-6/Ps 71:1-615, 17/Jn 13:21-33, 36-38
April 8, 2020 (Wed) – Is 50:4-9/Ps 69:8-10, 21, 22, 31, 33, 34/Mt 26:14-25
April 9, 2020 (Thur) – Is 61:1-3, 6, 8-9/Ps 89:21, 22, 25, 27/Rv 1:5-8/Lk 4:16-21
April 10, 2020 (Fri) – Is 52:13-53:12/Ps 31:2,6,12-13,15-17,25/Heb 4:14-16;5:7-9/Jn 18:1-19:42
April 11, 2020 (Sat) – Gn 1:1-2:2 /Ps 118:1-2,16-17, 22-23/ Rom 6:3-11/ Mt. 28:1-10

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”