March 29, 2026
Palm Sunday
Gospel: Matthew 21:1-11, 26:14-27:66

Today, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week. This year on Palm Sunday, there are two Gospel readings, both taken from the holy Gospel of Matthew. They recount the Lord Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem and His Passion narrative as recorded by Saint Matthew. I would like to take this opportunity to offer some reflections for all of you.

We often act like the crowds who welcomed Jesus into the city of Jerusalem, lining up to greet a distinguished guest who comes among us to be with us, and at times, we do our best to prepare in various ways to welcome that honoured guest. Just as Jesus’ disciples did for Him on that day (cf. Mt 21:1-7). When all preparations were complete, Jesus entered Jerusalem publicly and was welcomed by the crowds there.

We might find it strange: weren’t those crowds in Jerusalem welcoming Him when He entered? Didn’t they cry out, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Hosanna in the highest!” (Mt 21:9)? Then, what were they doing when Jesus was being crucified? They sought all kinds of evidence against Jesus, slandering Him in every way possible to put Him to death (cf. Mt 26:57-67; 27:11-26). When Jesus was nailed to the Cross, they even mocked Him, saying: “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is King of Israel; let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He wants Him, for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.'” (cf. Mt 27:39-49). For they refused to believe that Jesus was the One sent by the Father into the world to save it through Him (cf. Jn 3:16-17).

Today, the Church invites each of us to meditate on the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ and all that He did out of love for us. This is precisely an invitation for us to imitate Our Lord Jesus Christ: to courageously surrender ourselves, to remain steadfast in adversity, to always trust in God’s mercy, to always follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to have our hearts set on loving God above all things, and to imitate Jesus by loving those who hurt us and praying for God’s mercy upon them.

Almighty ever-living God, who as an example of humility for the human race to follow caused our Savior to take flesh and submit to the Cross, graciously grant that we may heed his lesson of patient suffering and so merit a share in his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica