Homily for Palm Sunday

Today the Church, the holy body of Christ, marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most sacred days of our faith. Palm Sunday commemorates the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem to complete the Pascal Mystery, his suffering, death and glorious Resurrection. It’s instructive that Jesus in obedience and trust of his Father embraced his Passion freely.  The prophet Isaiah declared, “The Lord God is my help.” Jesus accepted this most difficult moment of his life and ministry out of love for you, for us. 
In the Passion narrative, Jesus suffered betrayal from his close friend, Judas. He asked, “Surely it is not I Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You said so.” How often do I betray Jesus in my life through disobedience/sin? Peter denied ever knowing him three times. When he realized what he had done, he went away feeling sorry. Do I also need to walk on the part of repentance through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, especially during these last days before Easter?
While at table Jesus took a cup, gave thanks and gave it to them saying: “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the Covenant which is shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sin.” Jesus prepared himself for his suffering and death by going to pray. In his prayer he said, My Father if it is possible, take this cup from me, yet not as I will, but as you will. 
Jesus confronted the most challenging and difficult moment/experience of his life through prayer, he submitted totally to the holy will of GOD his Father. As St. Paul beautifully stated, “He humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death even death on a CROSS. For this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the NAME which is above every name.”
 
As we begin our most sacred week, let’s walk closely with Jesus, reflecting on his words and actions. At the beginning we blessed the Palm branches. We recalled the Messianic entrance into Jerusalem. The people proclaimed, “Blessed is the king who comes in the Name of the Lord, Peace in Heaven and glory in the highest.”  Why did he enter Jerusalem? According to Pope Francis, “…to receive a crown of thorns, a staff, and a purple robe: His kingship becomes an object of derision. He enters to climb Calvary, carrying his burden of wood of the Cross,… in order to die on the Cross. …his kingship shines forth in godly fashion: His royal throne is the wood of the Cross.” (Pope Francis homily on Palm Sunday, March 24, 2013). Let us today open our hearts in total surrender to Jesus to come in and take control, to be the center of our lives. Let’s find time to pray especially for the grace to imitate his virtues of perseverance, humility, obedience to the holy WILL OF GOD.