Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, Year A (2026)

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, Year A 
Matthew 21:1-11 
Isaiah 50:4-7 
Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-23 (2a) 
Philippians 2:6-11 
Matthew 26:14-27:66  
March 29, 2026 

We begin Holy Week as Jesus began his final week, with his royal welcome into Jerusalem.  He is greeted by people who “spread their cloaks on the road” and others who spread palms out to welcome him.  They cry out to the Son of David, recognizing Jesus as the Messiah “who comes in the name of the Lord.” 

Six days later He was crucified.   

What happened?  Where are the people who gave him a royal welcome?  Were they overcome by the mob mentality fostered by those who rejected Jesus? 

They did not realize who Jesus is.  As Paul writes to the Philippians, Jesus “was in the form of God” but He “did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.  Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness…he humbled himself.”  

Jesus sat at the right hand of God in Heaven yet He willingly emptied himself of his divinity to become human just so He could suffer and die for us.   

In being crucified, it might seem like Jesus had lost control.  One might think He was defeated by his enemies but He was not.  God is in complete control as Jesus’ “appointed time draws near.” 

Those who rejected Jesus did not properly understand the prophecies concerning the Messiah.  They did not understand that the Messiah was to suffer.  We find this in the four suffering servant oracles in Isaiah, most especially Isaiah 52 and 53, which are the first reading on Good Friday. 

Writing to a largely Jewish audience, Matthew is careful in his telling of Jesus’ Passion to point out the prophecies that are fulfilled in Jesus’ final week.   

Jesus is prophetic as He tells how each day of his final week will unfold.  He knows that He is about to suffer and be crucified.  Yet, through it all He remains “obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” 

He knows Judas would betray him but He does not stop him.  In fact, He even says to Judas, “Friend, do what you have come for.” 

Jesus knew that Peter would deny him three times.  He knew that the other disciples would flee.  Jesus could have said He would not suffer for those who betray, deny, and fled him.  He did not.  Instead, He gave his back to those who beat him.  He did not shield his face from those who spit on him. 

It is not that Jesus found it easy to suffer.  He prayed to his Father, “if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will but as you will.”  Society today rejects suffering.  Many today condone assisted suicide as a means of avoiding suffering. 

Jesus accepted his suffering because He knew that his suffering constituted a sacrifice, a sacrifice so pleasing to his Father that his Father forgives our sins.   

Jesus had disciples who were willing to fight to protect him.  To one who cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant, Jesus said, “Put back your sword into its sheath, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”  In a world where many think war can make things right, we do well to follow Jesus’ example of not fighting in military terms. 

Those who sought Jesus’ Crucifixion looked not for the truth.  Rather, they sought “false testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death.” 

Are you willing to lie to get what you want or is the truth important to you? 

When Pilate asked concerning Jesus, “What evil has he done,” the crowd provides no response because Jesus hadn’t done anything wrong, yet they still seek his Crucifixion. 

Jesus suffered emotional pain when Judas betrayed, Peter denied him, and the others fled.   

Jesus suffered extreme physical pain when they scourged him, placed a crown of thorns on his head, and was beaten and crucified. 

They mocked him saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself.”  They did not understand what it means to be saved. 

Do you? 

Jesus does not save himself from earthly death.  He saves us from our sins.  He delivered us from evil.  He rescues us from Satan’s grasp.  Jesus offers his life as a sacrifice for our sins. 

His suffering was so extreme that even He called out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  God our Father did not really forsake Jesus.  The suffering was extreme but Jesus was never without his Father. 

Jesus suffered extreme pain for you and for me.  Are you willing to suffer in his name? 

Peace, 

Fr. Jeff