Weekly Gospel Reflection

This Sunday for Catholics and Christians around the world marks the start of the holiest week of the year – Palm Sunday. We commemorate the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on a donkey to celebrate the Passover. All the four-gospel writers (the evangelists) record the arrival of Jesus on donkey with the crowds spreading their cloaks and palm branches on the street shouting “Hosana” and “blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” They honour him as their long-awaited king. The donkey was seen at the time as representing peace with those riding on them proclaiming peaceful intentions. The laying of palms indicated that a dignitary was arriving in victory. 

By all accounts, the crowds were buzzing with excitement waiting for Jesus’ arrival. We can perhaps reflect that by this point clearly things have happened to increase the number of believers. Perhaps it was from the raising of Lazarus mentioned in last week’s reflection or perhaps word had spread of Jesus’ ministry. This isn’t explained at all by the writers. 

However, we can infer that the Government leaders would have been well aware of Jesus’ entrance and soon plotting their response. For Jesus, this celebration would have almost seemed like a death walk,  knowing that his fate was already sealed. Soon the crowds would turn to call for the release of a criminal rather than show mercy to him.  

While the bystanders expected Jesus to be the king to liberate them from the Romans, when we look back throughout the Gospels, we see that Jesus taught and showed us that God’s kingdom is not based on wealth, position, might, privilege or pride. Rather, the authority Jesus speaks of is love given to us through the Holy Spirit. 

Palm Sunday is a time for us to look back on the ministry of Jesus; curing the leper, eating with tax collectors, the woman at the well, the parables of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son. In each case we are taught through his actions that a true king doesn’t require a crown. 

This week we are called to replicate his humility, peacefulness, compassion and inclusiveness. I encourage you throughout the Holy Week to think about how you treat strangers – how well do you treat the cashier at the local supermarket? How patient are you when you are stuck in traffic?  How  quick are you to lend a hand when somebody needs it… even if you aren’t to receive any credit for your good deed? 

Merciful God, as we enter Holy week, turn our hearts again to Jerusalem, and to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Stir up within us the gift of faith that we may not only praise him with our lips, but may follow him in the way of the cross.

St John Vianney

Pray for us. 

By Jonathan Rooney REL