PALM SUNDAY

Reading for procession: Luke 19:28-40
Readings for the Mass: Isaiah 50:4-7; Phil 2:6-11. Luke 22:14-23:56

“First degree of humility is obedience without delay”
– St. Benedict

“Blessings on the king who comes in the name of the Lord” Luke 19:38

Dear Brothers and sisters,

Our first reflection on Palm Sunday is that this day ushers us into Holy week. And it introduces us to Holy week with a memorial of our Lord’s solemn entrance into Jerusalem. This solemn moment at the close of Christ’s earthly life shows that he went voluntarily to his death. He went to it with royal freedom and dignity.
Throughout his life he had waited for his “hour”. And during his public life he had referred to it so often. Yet he is crushed by the prospect of it all. It is an hour of triumph, when he will redeem mankind and seal with his own blood his love of man. Seen in this light Palm Sunday is a day of joy.
The second reflection on this day is that of Christ’s kingship. We celebrate the feast of Christ the king later in the year. But it was on Palm Sunday that for the first time Christ during his earthly life allowed royal homage to be paid.
They had tried to make him king; but his hour had not yet come, he dodged them. But a week before his death, not only did he let them have their way, he himself gave the instructions: “Bring a calf” He sat on it, he waved to the jubilant crowds. Humanly speaking the crowd was getting out of control, to the extent that some Pharisees asked the Lord, “Master, check your disciples” This time he does not check them. He does not disappear. He is king, and the world must accept and acclaim him as such, if the disciples do not pay his royal homage, then “the stones will cry out”.
At solemn Mass the faithful will repeat this drama. We shall make a procession with palm branches in our hands. Those branches are symbols, symbols of our loyalty to Christ our King. They are also symbols of our willingness to do Him homage. Of course we profess our faith in it, the king of kings, everyday. But today we are given an opportunity to do it publicly.
Third consideration: Palm Sunday brings us face to face with suffering. In the liturgy, soon after commemorating the solemn entrance into Jerusalem, soon after acclaiming Jesus as King. He is presented to us in his suffering. We are already now being prepared for Good Friday, prepared for Calvary.
We know what lip service is. We have people who keep on cheering crowds and cry “Hosannah Son of David”. But they will stop here. It’s the second group, the truly committed followers, who will follow him with their cross daily to Calvary.
We are remaining with one week towards Easter, we have finished five weeks are already gone. Looking back, you have to ask yourself what you have done with those five weeks. Have you said an extra prayer? How was your relation with your neighbour? Did you do an extra good act? Have you received the sacraments frequently and more fervently? What efforts have you made to amend your life? Have you reconciled with those with whom you were not friendly with? In summary you can answer this question. In all these five weeks have you made yourself a better Catholic?
We still have to do something. You have seen runners gain on those who were leading a minute or two before the end. Let’s make firm resolves for real spiritual renewal so that the celebration of Christ’s resurrection in the body may be an occasion for our spiritual resurrection.
Let us rejoice with the triumphant Christ at his solemn entrance and allow him entrance into our lives. Let us dedicate our lives to him as our supreme Lord, our saviour and our king. And let us take our cross daily and follow his footsteps.



“No one can rule except one who can be ruled”
Latin Proverb




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Padre Joseph Nyamunga Mubiru
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NAIROBI-KENYA
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