He went on in front of them


Palm Sunday and the Passion of Our Lord 

Almighty, ever-living God, you have given the human race Jesus Christ our Saviour as a model of humility. He fulfilled your will by becoming man and giving his life on the cross. Help us to bear witness to you by following his example of suffering and make us worthy to share his resurrection. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

First Reading
Is 50:4-7

My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

The Lord GOD has given me
   a well-trained tongue,
That I might know how to speak to the weary
   a word that will rouse them.
Morning after morning
   he opens my ear that I may hear;
and I have not rebelled,
   have not turned back.
I gave my back to those who beat me,
   my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;
my face I did not shield
   from buffets and spitting.

The Lord GOD is my help,
   therefore I am not disgraced;
I have set my face like flint,
   knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

The word of the Lord.

Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24

R. :

℟. (2a) My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

All who see me scoff at me;
   they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads:
“He relied on the LORD; let him deliver him,
   let him rescue him if he loves him.”

℟. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

Indeed, many dogs surround me,
   a pack of evildoers closes in upon me;
they have pierced my hands and feet;
   I can count all my bones.

℟. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

They divide my garments among them,
   and for my vesture they cast lots.
But you, O LORD, be not far from me;
   O my help, hasten to aid me.

℟. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

I will proclaim your name to my brethren;
   in the midst of the assembly I will praise you:
“You who fear the LORD, praise him;
   all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to him;
   revere him, all you descendants of Israel!”

℟. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

Phil 2:6-11

Christ humbled himself. Because of this God greatly exalted him.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God,
   did not regard equality with God
   something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself,
   taking the form of a slave,
   coming in human likeness;
   and found human in appearance,
   he humbled himself,
   becoming obedient to death,
   even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him
   and bestowed on him the name
   that is above every name,
   that at the name of Jesus
   every knee should bend,
   of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
   and every tongue confess that
   Jesus Christ is Lord,
   to the glory of God the Father.

The word of the Lord.

Acclamation before the Gospel
Phil 2:8-9

Christ become obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name which is above every name.

A reading from the Gospel of Luke 19: 28-40 – Procession with Palms 

Jesus proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.
As he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany
at the place called the Mount of Olives,
he sent two of his disciples.
He said, “Go into the village opposite you,
and as you enter it you will find a colt tethered
on which no one has ever sat.
Untie it and bring it here.
And if anyone should ask you,
‘Why are you untying it?’
you will answer,
‘The Master has need of it.’”
So those who had been sent went off
and found everything just as he had told them.
And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them,
“Why are you untying this colt?”
They answered,
“The Master has need of it.”
So they brought it to Jesus,
threw their cloaks over the colt,
and helped Jesus to mount.
As he rode along,
the people were spreading their cloaks on the road;
and now as he was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives,
the whole multitude of his disciples
began to praise God aloud with joy
for all the mighty deeds they had seen.
They proclaimed:
            “Blessed is the king who comes
                        in the name of the Lord.
            Peace in heaven
                        and glory in the highest.”
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him,
“Teacher, rebuke your disciples.”
He said in reply,
“I tell you, if they keep silent,
the stones will cry out!”

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

Reflection

St Luke dedicates a substantial part of his Gospel (as from chapter 9 verse 51) to Jesus’ journey towards Jerusalem, where He would give His life for us. Today’s account illustrates the culmination of this journey with His entry into the Holy City. Jerusalem, the City that Jesus journeyed towards with a strong determination—preaching, teaching, admonishing and healing along the way. Jerusalem the City from which He was to leave this world to return to the Father. 

Finally, Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, and His journey has reached its end. Jesus’ determination to fulfil the Father’s will manifests itself in what we read in the Gospel: “He went on in front of them toward Jerusalem.” The people were waiting for Him in anticipation. The crowd continued to grow along the road to see Him pass by while shouting out joyfully. The crowd: 
- welcomed Him with joy … but did not accept His words; 
- spread their cloaks on the road where He was to pass … but their hearts were closed to Him; 
- received Him who came amongst them “in the Name of the Lord” … but quickly forgot the words He had spoken to them. 

To the extent that after this event, we encounter the same crowd … but this time they shout: “Crucify Him, Crucify Him.” 

Prayer 

Lord, do not allow me to reject Your words as the crowd in Jerusalem did. What use is it to welcome You, but then reject Your words? What use is it to applaud You and take pictures of You if subsequently I don’t accept what You tell me through the ministers and shepherds of Your Church? 

Lord, create in me a receptive heart, ready to listen to You. 

Create in me a willing heart, ready to be transformed. 

Create in me a determined will and a strong faith in You. 

So that this season of Lent will not have come in vain.  

So that my cry will not change in a few days. 

 

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