Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is one of the most unique liturgical Sundays of the entire year.  Most of us remember it for receiving palms as well as the long Passion reading where we get to participate as members of the crowd; but many of us often forget about the Gospel reading that occurs at the beginning of Mass before we bless the palms.  In that reading we are reminded how the people initially welcomed Jesus with joy and celebration.  One thing that becomes apparent when we take time to reflect on this particular reading is that the people were not prepared for the coming of the Messiah.  They cut palms and laid down their cloaks because they did not have other things prepared beforehand.  In contrast to that if the Emperor of Rome was coming to Jerusalem there would have been weeks if not months of preparation before he arrived.  There would have been flowers, decorations, and all kinds of festive things set up to welcome the Emperor.  A major theme of Lent is the theme of preparation so that unlike the crowds who were caught off guard by the arrival of Jesus, we can be much better prepared for the celebrations of Holy Week and Easter.  Instead of palms and cloaks, we are invited to offer and lay down the Lenten disciplines that we have been practicing for the last forty days; the various forms of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Once we get into the Passion reading we see how the same crowd that had previously welcomed Jesus with joy and celebration has quickly changed their stance so that now they are calling for the torture and crucifixion of Jesus.  A great term to describe the crowd is turncoat especially since they had offered their cloaks when Jesus first came into Jerusalem.  The Passion reading and our participation in it reminds us of the many times we have been turncoats ourselves by not living up the teachings of Christ, by sinning, and by not witnessing to our faith in God.  Not only did the crowds turn against Jesus, but even his closest disciples abandoned him when he needed them most.  In seminary we are taught that we can learn something from every person that we encounter, whether it is what to do or what not to do.  So the Passion readings provide us with many examples of what not to do in terms of our journey in faith.  The last example I want to highlight is Simon of Cyrene who was called upon to help Christ carry his cross.  He is another example of someone who was not prepared for the powerful experience he would be gifted with.  Every time we offer our sufferings to God through Christ, we become a willing Simon of Cyrene who has chosen to help the Lord carry his burden and share in his saving mission.  May God bless you all during this most holy time of the entire year.

Fr. John Nguyen is Parochial Vicar at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Carmel.