Luke 19.28-40 | Isaiah 50.4-7 | Philippians 2.6-11 | Luke 22.14–23.56

Today is Palm Sunday. We begin Holy Week with Mother Church, following the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus, the result of which was our salvation.

Today the evangelist Luke tells us, on the one hand, of Jesus' humble entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, acclaimed by the crowd of disciples who, filled with joy, praised God and; on the other hand, of the condemnation, scourging, crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus authorized by the religious and political leaders of Jerusalem.

There are two passages in the gospel because, at the beginning of Christianity, there were two distinct celebrations on Palm Sunday: a more festive one, at dawn, and a more funereal one, at dusk. Over time, the two celebrations were united, becoming as we know them today.

By humbly entering Jerusalem, Jesus was fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah (9:9) that the just king would come riding a donkey to save his people, unlike the oppressors who rode strong horses. We are also disciples of Jesus. Let us rejoice with that crowd, let us acclaim our King-Savior, imitating His humility and justice. 

Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot, denied by Simon Peter, replaced by the thief Barabbas by the crowd, unjustly condemned to death by Pontius Pilate, and scourged and nailed to the Cross by soldiers, where He died. His body was placed in the tomb and the door was closed with a large stone. 

Jesus lived and died in fidelity to God and His mission. Let us value Christ’s death for us on the Cross, responding with a holy life. Let us allow the old man, marked by sin, to die within us. Let us renew our fidelity to God, even when threatened by religious and political leaders. Let us embrace active nonviolence. Let us welcome the victims of violence, recognizing in them the crucified Christ who awaits our solidarity.

Today the prophet Isaiah speaks to us of the violence courageously faced by the suffering Servant of the Lord, a mysterious character to whom Isaiah dedicated four canticles. Today's passage belongs to the third canticle. The Servant knows that he will not be humiliated because the Lord God is his helper.

For us Christians, Jesus is the suffering Servant of the Lord. Courageously, He faced death, enduring the Cross, with the help of God. Let us know how to face the difficulties of life inspired by the suffering Jesus.

Today the apostle Paul speaks to us in his letter to the Philippians of the kenosis - the emptying - of Jesus Christ who, being God, became man and slave, obeying even unto death on the Cross. God exalted Him above all and gave Him the Name that is above every name.

Deeply and sincerely grateful to our Savior, let us empty ourselves of ourselves, bow our knees at the name of Jesus and proclaim that He is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Local: Praia Grande - SP, Brasil

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