As we come to the end of our Lenten journey and enter Holy Week, the readings for Palm Sunday center around the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, reminding us of the transformative power of His sacrificial love.
We are challenged in these final days before Easter to remain faithful and steadfast in our own lives, following Christ’s example of humility and obedience.
In the first reading from Isaiah 50:4-7, we read of the prophet’s unwavering faith in God’s help and faithfulness in times of struggle, even in the face of opposition and ridicule.
Depicting the Suffering Servant, this passage manifests Isaiah’s firm determination to continue proclaiming God’s message despite the numerous challenges he faced.
The second reading from Philippians 2:6-11 highlights the humility and obedience of Christ in His redemptive sacrifice for humanity, emphasizing His willingness to empty Himself and become a servant, ultimately submitting to death on the Cross.
This Pauline passage challenges all believers to follow Jesus’ example of meekness and humble service, recognizing Him as Lord and King of all.
The Gospel from Luke 22:14 to 23:56 retells the culminating events leading up to Jesus’ sacrifice, including the Last Supper, His arrest, trial, and eventual Crucifixion.
The passage highlights the shame and suffering associated with this form of public execution, as well as the magnitude of Jesus’ love for humanity.
Recounting Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial, we are reminded of our own human weakness and the importance of complete loyalty to Christ and His redemptive mission.
Preparing us for more
As we draw closer to Calvary, these readings prepare and guide us to enter more fully into the Paschal Mystery.
They also encourage us to freely embrace the Walk With One initiative.
Have we been serious about identifying and accompanying that special person who the Lord wishes us to draw close to Him?
Anyone who prays the Stations of the Cross quickly realizes that others accompanied Our Lord on the road to redemption — the Blessed Virgin Mary, Simon of Cyrene, Veronica, and the Women of Jerusalem.
As we prepare to stand at the foot of the Cross with Him, we recognize that Jesus is courageously surrounded by His mother, His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, Mary of Magdala, and St. John — the Beloved Disciple (cf. Jn 19:25).
Our Lord desires us to be witnesses to hope and healing to the lost and hurting souls that we encounter in our daily lives, especially that person He has placed upon our hearts to bring back to Him.
Following Him
In these final days of Holy Week as we prepare to celebrate the Sacred Triduum, let us humbly follow in Our Lord’s footsteps by seeking repentance for our sins and those of the whole world.
Let us willingly seek His Divine Mercy knowing that Jesus is always ready to lovingly embrace us with the same open arms that were stretched out upon the Cross as He suffered and died for our salvation.
Michael D. Wick is the director of mission for the Diocese of Madison.