HOMILY FOR THE PALM SUNDAY YEAR A.
THEME: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord Hosanna in the highest!
BY: Fr. Deotacious Chikontwe, SMA.
*READINGS OF THE DAY*
This gospel is read at the procession with palms before Mass:
*Gospel Matthew 21:1-11*
Isaiah 50:4-7
Philippians 2:6-11
Matthew 26:14-27:66
*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
RED
*INTRODUCTION*
Dear friends in Christ, today we celebrate the Palm Sunday. We commemorate in a special way the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem were He will accomplish everything that was written about Him.
*What Is Palm Sunday?*
Palm Sunday is the last Sunday in Lent and the Sunday before Easter. It’s the beginning of Holy Week, the most important week of the year for Christians.
*What are the symbols of the Palm Sunday?*
We have three main symbols during our celebration of Palm Sunday.
1. *The Donkey*
The donkey symbolizes the peaceful coming of Jesus Christ; He is coming to seek and to save the lost. He is coming as the sacrificial lamb, to atone for our sins.
2. *The Green Branches*
Palm branches were regarded as tokens of joy and triumph and were customarily used on festive occasions (Leviticus 23:40, Nehemiah 8:15). Kings and conquerors were welcomed with palm branches being strewn before them and waved in the air.
RELATED: HOMILY FOR PALM SUNDAY YEAR A
3. *The People*
The people symbolizes the praise and happiness in singing the hossana the son of David. This will be the same. people who will shout, “crucify him!”
*ABOUT THE LITURGICAL READINGS OF TODAY*
*The Procession Reading – Matthew 21:1-1* 1: Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where he rode on a donkey and was greeted by crowds of people who praised him as the Son of David and King of Israel.
*The First Reading – Isaiah 50:4-7:*
In our first reading, the prophet Isaiah speaks of a servant of God who is a skilled teacher and obedient to God’s will, even in the face of persecution and suffering.
*The Second Reading – Philippians 2:6-11*
This passage describes the selfless humility of Jesus Christ, who, despite being divine, chose to become human and submit to a humiliating death on a cross. And by this obedience, God exalted him and gave him a name above all others, that every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
*The Gospel Reading – Matthew 26:14 – 27:66* : The Passion reading describes the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and death. It includes Jesus’ betrayal by Judas Iscariot, his arrest and trial before the high priest, his denial by Peter, his sentencing by Pilate, his crucifixion and death, and his burial in a tomb.
*WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THE EVENTS OF THE PALM SUNDAY*
As celebrate todays Sunday let us think of our own relationship with God: The events of today, invite us to reflect on our own commitment to following Jesus’ example of love, humility, and selflessness. We are called to prepare ourselves for the celebration of Easter by considering our own response to Jesus’ sacrifice and our own willingness to follow his teachings.
*CONCLUSION*
Let us all therefore take heed from the downfall of Judas Iscariot as a reminder for each and every one of us so that we may turn away from the path of worldliness and desire, unhealthy attachments and ambitions. May God bless us all in our every good works and efforts, and may He bless our Easter celebrations to come. Amen.
Rev Fr. Deotacious Chikontwe SMA.
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