Isaiah 50:4-7 / Philippians 2:6-11 / Matthew 26:14 – 27:66
Today, as we come from Mass, we received palm branches.
At the beginning of the Mass, we held up and waved the palm branches happily, as the priests sprinkles Holy Water to bless them.
The palm branches are a symbol of the triumphant entry of Jesus into the holy city of Jerusalem.
It is also a symbol of our welcoming Jesus into our hearts.
So, it was a joyful and a happy mood, until we heard the readings, especially the long gospel reading.
The mood and the atmosphere became solemn and heavy.
We hear of betrayals and denials, of promises made but broken later.
We hear Jesus, in the depths of prayer and submitting to the Father’s will.
We hear of accusations, of suffering, crucifixion and death.
But we also hear of mercy and forgiveness as a repentant criminal was promised with entry into eternity.
Yes, Palm Sunday moved into Passion Sunday, into the suffering and death of Jesus.
This coming week is called Holy Week, and we journey with Jesus into His suffering and death on the Cross.
We stay with Jesus and see His heart of mercy and compassion.
We await with the hope of His Resurrection, when we hear once again the Good News of our salvation.
Yes, by His suffering and death, Jesus saved us from our sins.
As we stay with Jesus in prayer, let us also reflect about our lives and the experiences of pain and suffering, of rejection and disappointment and frustration.
With Jesus, let us accept God’s will, let us carry the Cross with love, so as to receive the gift of salvation from Jesus.