Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

Written on: March 24, 2021

Readings for Palm Sunday

Procession with Palm- Mark 11:1-10
First Reading- Isaiah 50:4-7
Responsorial Psalm- 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
Second Reading- Philippians 2:6-11
Gospel- Mark 14:1—15:47

My Soul is sorrowful…
                   Keep watch with Me.

When I begin to reflect on the events of Holy Week, I am overwhelmed. So much is happening, so many scenes, so much emotion. I am drawn most strongly, yet am resistant to, Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Jesus, You are troubled, distressed, fearful of what is about to happen.

You kneel to the ground and pray,

“Abba, Father, all things are possible to You. Take this cup of suffering away from Me.”

You struggle with fear.

You resist what is to come.

Yet even at your most vulnerable You can say,

“Not what I will, but what You will.”

Your life is mission-driven as You long to bring about the Kingdom, the Reign of God your Father. You pray, teach, heal, form community with your disciples, share food and community with the poor, the outsiders, the sinners. Living this mission has aroused the attention and jealousy of the religious leaders, scribes and Pharisees and the High Priest; it has led You to this moment of approaching suffering and death.

Jesus, you turn to Your Father, and You seek support of and comfort from Your disciples and in both instances You feel deserted and abandoned.

“Are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour with Me?”

And on the cross,

“My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?”

In our own times of darkness, suffering and vulnerability, may we “put on the mind and heart of Christ” ask for relief, strength, courage, acceptance of God’s will. Accompanied by Jesus, may we say and mean “into Your hands I commit my spirit.”

Let us stay awake and keep watch with Jesus during the events of this Holy Week.

Submitted by: Sr. Sheila Stone, GNSH

Printable copy here

Featured photo courtesy of Veeterzy/Unsplash

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