READINGS FOR PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION, YEAR A, SUNDAY 29TH MARCH, 2026.
Procession: Matthew 21:1-11
First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7
Psalm: 21
Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11
Gospel: The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ: Matthew 26:14-27:66
REFLECTION BY FR. CORNELIUS NWAOGWUGWU, CM.
OUR WELLBEING IS IMPORTANT TO JESUS CHRIST.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today the Church celebrates Passion Sunday. Holy Week begins on this Sunday. What we commemorate and relive during this week is not just Jesus’ dying and rising, but our own dying and rising in him, which will result in our healing, reconciliation and redemption. Active participation in the Holy Week liturgy will deepen our relationship with God, increase our faith and strengthen our lives as disciples of Jesus. Therefore, we are still together in the Lord.
Today’s liturgy combines contrasting moments, one of glory, the other of suffering: the royal welcome of Jesus in Jerusalem and the drama of the trial, culminating in crucifixion, death and burial for the Christ.
In the Gospel of Matthew 21:1-11, Jesus visited Jerusalem. As he was approaching, the people cried out “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessing on him who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heavens!” As you can see, Jesus was well received by the people. They were hailing him as the Son of David. They threw their cloaks, palm and olive branches on the road for him to ride on with a colt he had borrowed for the day. Jesus was not only honoured but was also recognised as a good man, the Messiah.
However, the story changed on Good Friday. “Hosanna” gave way to “crucify him”. The same people that were praising Jesus turned against him even when “He committed no sin and no deceit was found in his mouth.” (1Peter 2:22). The same people were determined to kill Jesus even when the judge, Pontius Pilate, could not find any wrong that he had done.
This incident explains the realities of our human nature and relationship with one another. When the going is cool and fine, many people would be your friends, but when the going is rough and hard fewer people would like to be associated with you. What a world? What a slope sided relationship? What a contrast? Well, life is like that.
Today’s First Reading foreshadows Jesus’ own life and mission. The refrain for today’s Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 22), echoes, “My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?” This statement plunges us into the heart of Christ’s Passion.
The Second Reading, taken from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, is an ancient Christian hymn representing a very early Christian understanding of whom Jesus is and of how his mission saves us from sin and death.
In the second part of today’s Gospel, we listen to a reading of the Passion of Christ according to Matthew. In the Passion story, we are challenged to examine our own lives in the light of some of the characters like Peter who denied Jesus, Judas who betrayed Jesus, Herod who ridiculed Jesus, Pilate who acted against his conscience as he condemned Jesus to death on the cross and the leaders of the people who preserved their position by getting rid of Jesus.
Let us surrender our lives to Jesus during this Holy Week and welcome him into all areas of our lives as our Lord and Saviour. Let us remember that we are sinners who have crucified Jesus by our sins and we are able to turn to Jesus again and ask for his mercy. It is through the Passion of Jesus we receive forgiveness, “through his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5).
The good news is that if you put your trust and faith in God like Jesus, you will go above the crowd and become healed and victorious. Indeed, our wellbeing is important to Jesus Christ our Messiah. How deep is your faith in Him?
We are the visible signs of Jesus today as we bring through our works universal love, unconditional forgiveness, healing and sacrificial service to our families, places of work and communities by the way we live our lives. For this reason, all of us in the African Chaplaincy cherish and very much appreciate the efforts of all our members who work with passion, conviction and dedications day and night to care for us spiritually and materially. On behalf of the African Chaplaincy, we sincerely applaud and appreciate all our members and all others providing essential services in our lives for their hard work and care for us all.
As we cannot thank you all enough with words, we pray for God’s abundant blessings and protection on you and your families through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Happy Holy Week.
Fr. Cornelius Nwaogwugwu, CM.