Palm Sunday 2018

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion (commonly known as “Palm Sunday”), the gateway to Holy Week, is first of all the great memorial of our Lord’s solemn entrance into Jerusalem when he was about to suffer and to die. He did not fall a victim to man’s hatred; rather, he went voluntarily to his death, with royal freedom. His death had been divinely decreed as the purchase for man’s redemption. This festive entrance was his wedding march, as he proceeded to seal with blood his Bridegroom’s love for us all.

Secondly, Palm Sunday is a feast in honor of Christ the King. It marks the first time during his earthly life that he allowed royal homage to be paid to him. In royal fashion he entered the “city of the great King.” His kingship was the main reason why he was convicted and sentenced to die. He was, therefore, a martyr to his royal title. Throughout the world this day, the Church accords Jesus kingly homage. Into our hands the Church puts palms and olive branches, symbols of our loyalty to him and of our willingness to do him homage. Palm Sunday gives us an opportunity to profess our faith publicly in the King of kings.

Thirdly, Palm Sunday brings us face to face with suffering, for it introduces us to Christ’s sacred passion, preparing us for his death on Calvary. We are to share our Master’s burden, a task that becomes possible only if we ourselves are willing to become soldiers and martyrs.

Read more in our program: https://stanndc.org/documents/2018/3/PALM%20SUNDAY%202018%20YEAR%20B%20FINAL%20PDF.pdf