Sunday Gospel Reflection
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Luke 23:1-49 | April 10, 2022
Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem
by Josie Gonzales
When the hour came, Jesus took his place at the table with the apostles. (Lk 22:14)
Who is greater, the one who sits down to eat or the one who serves? (Lk 22:27)
“I tell you, Peter,” Jesus said, “the rooster will not crow tonight until you have said three times that you do not know me.” (Lk 22:34)
Jesus prays on the Mount of Olives…
“Father,” he said, if you will, take this cup of suffering away from me. Not my will, however, but your will be done.” (Lk 22:42)
The arrest of Jesus where Judas, one of the disciples, comes up to kiss Jesus…
But Jesus said, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you betray the Son of Man?” (Lk 22:48)
Peter denies Jesus…
Peter…wept bitterly. (Lk 22:62)
Jesus is mocked and beaten…Jesus is sentenced to death…Jesus is crucified…
Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father! Into your hands I place my spirit!” He said this and died. (Lk 23:46)
Palm Sunday commemorates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Jesus was greeted by people waving palm branches to welcome Him—a gesture of opening our hearts and our willingness to follow Him.
This Sunday is the culmination of weeks of intense prayers, retreats and recollections, sacrifices, and almsgiving leading to His passion, death, and resurrection on Easter Sunday. What better way to prepare us spiritually as we remember what He went through to save us!
Ang pagpasok ni Hesus sa Jerusalem ay malungkot at masaya—malungkot because He had to suffer and die on the cross, masaya because of His resurrection as the Son of God, ang tagapagligtas natin sa ating mga kasalanan.
But did we prepare enough during Lent? Nakinig ba tayo sa panawagan ng mga spiritual leaders natin na magbigay ng ayuda sa higit na nangangailangan? Did we sacrifice enough by controlling our appetite for food that we enjoy or was it ‘feasting as usual’ with barkada and friends? Did we reflect on the passion of Christ? Did we ask forgiveness from those we have hurt?
This Holy Week, sasama ba tayo kay Hesukristo sa Kalbaryo? O dating gawi pa rin na mag beach nalang sa Boracay? Mag Baguio or mag Palawan? Saan tayo?
Some of us journey with Christ to Calvary. Many of us have our own ‘calvaries’ in life. To some, our daily grind is ‘Calvary’ while to others: a long lingering illness of a loved one, death in the family, loss of a job, loneliness, brokenness, depression, or anxiety.
I am a classic example of carrying my crosses to Calvary—some light, others heavy. Crosses of fear, of pain, of brokenness, worries and anxiety. I have had a lot to bear but two things keep me going. First, the realization that Jesus’ cross was a lot heavier, carrying it for all mankind. Secondly, because the Lord said, “Come to me, all you who are tired and heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.”
While I fall and fall, I keep picking myself up. I tell myself to just climb and not look back. Climbing is never easy—whether it is wall climbing or mountain climbing to Mount Calvary. I cry a lot when I feel I’m at the end of the rope. Then I remember the Lord saying, “pick up your cross and follow me.”
The Holy Week is a great opportunity to do just that. Rewards are plenty and these await us in His Kingdom.
As we reflect on today’s Gospel, let’s do a walkthrough from His entry to Jerusalem, to His Last Supper, to his arrest where he was betrayed and denied by his disciples, mocked and beaten, sentenced even though he was innocent, and crucified to His death.
What scenario do we see unfold? Are our problems even close or comparable to what He went through? Pagnilayan natin ito.
A blessed Palm Sunday!
