Lenten Reflection for 4/2

Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday)

Daily Prayer

Almighty Ever-Living God, who sent Your beloved Son to redeem us, grant that we may always conform our will to Yours and serve with sincerity of heart so that we may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.


Scripture Readings

Matthew 21:1-11; Isaiah 50:4-7; Philippians 2:6-11; Matthew 26:14–27:66
(Click for today’s Readings.)

Scripture Quote

Matthew 21:9

The crowds preceding him and those following
kept crying out and saying:
    “Hosanna to the Son of David:
     blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord;
     hosanna in the highest.”


Reflection

It’s a celebration and Matthew paints a vivid scene. Jesus, riding on a donkey into Jerusalem (Zechariah 9:9) for Passover. All spread their cloaks before Him and strew palm branches on the road. Jesus made His triumphal entry.

The crowds shout words from Psalm 118:25–26, the psalm we heard on Friday of the Second Week of Lent. The word hosanna literally means “save us” or “grant salvation,” as it is used in Psalm 118, but it came to be a cry of praise for God who grants salvation. The crowds call Jesus “the Son of David,” a name for the promised Messiah (Matthew 1:1). This day is the pinnacle of Jesus’ recognition by the crowd for who He is.

Reflection Questions

  • How can I pay homage to Christ the King in my life today?
  • How can I recognize Jesus in every person I meet?

Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner.