Palm Sunday 2023(Year A)
2nd April 2023 (Sunday) Readings and Reflection
Hello Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we are reaching important week of the Liturgical Year. These readings are proper to the day, and for the dramatic reading of the gospel, he have attached the PDF file to be downloaded at the end of the reflection, which consists of all the instructions and information of the liturgical services of the full Holy week till Easter sunday. May God's blessing be with you.
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Reading of the Day
Gospel At the Procession : Matthew 21:1-11
When Jesus and his disciples drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord needs them', and he will send them at once." This took place to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet, saying, "Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden." The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, "Who is this?" And the crowds said, "This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee."
First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7
The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backwards. I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18a, 19-20, 23-24 (R. 2a)
R/. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11
Brethren: Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Gospel At the Mass : Matthew 26:14-27:66
Gospel At the Mass (Shorter Form) : Matthew 27:11-54
Judas to Betray Jesus
14. Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, 15. and said, What are ye willing to give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they weighed unto him thirty pieces of silver. 16. And from that time he sought opportunity to deliver him unto them.
The Passover with the Disciples
17. Now on the first day of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Where wilt thou that we make ready for thee to eat the passover? 18. And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. 19. And the disciples did as Jesus appointed them; and they made ready the passover.
Institution of Lord’s Supper
20. Now when even was come, he was sitting at meat with the twelve disciples; 21. and as they were eating, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22. And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began to say unto him every one, Is it I, Lord? 23. And he answered and said, He that dipped his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. 24. The Son of man goeth, even as it is written of him: but woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had not been born. 25. And Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Is it I, Rabbi? He saith unto him, Thou hast said. 26. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it; and he gave to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27. And he took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28. for this is my blood of the covenant, which is shed for many unto remission of sins. 29. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom. 30. And when they had sung a hymn, they went out unto the mount of Olives.
Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial
31. Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended in me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. 32. But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee. 33. But Peter answered and said unto him, If all shall be offended in thee, I will never be offended. 34. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 35. Peter saith unto him, Even if I must die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
36. Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto his disciples, Sit ye here, while I go yonder and pray. 37. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and sore troubled. 38. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: abide ye here, and watch with me. 39. And he went forward a little, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. 40. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 42. Again a second time he went away, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cannot pass away, except I drink it, thy will be done. 43. And he came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44. And he left them again, and went away, and prayed a third time, saying again the same words. 45. Then cometh he to the disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46. Arise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that betrayeth me.
Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
47. And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he: take him. 49. And straightway he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, Rabbi; and kissed him. 50. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, do that for which thou art come. Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. 51 And behold, one of them that were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and smote the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear. 52. Then saith Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into its place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53. Or thinkest thou that I cannot beseech my Father, and he shall even now send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54. How then should the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? 55. In that hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a robber with swords and staves to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and ye took me not. 56. But all this is come to pass, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples left him, and fled.
Jesus Before Caiaphas and the Council
57. And they that had taken Jesus led him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. 58. But Peter followed him afar off, unto the court of the high priest, and entered in, and sat with the officers, to see the end. 59. Now the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death; 60. and they found it not, though many false witnesses came. But afterward came two, 61. and said, This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. 62. And the high priest stood up, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? 63. But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. 64. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Henceforth ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming on the clouds of heaven. 65. Then the high priest rent his garments, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy: what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard the blasphemy: 66. what think ye? They answered and said, He is worthy of death. 67. Then did they spit in his face and buffet him: and some smote him with the palms of their hands, 68. saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ: who is he that struck thee?
Peter Denies Jesus
69. Now Peter was sitting without in the court: and a maid came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilaean. 70. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and saith unto them that were there, This man also was with Jesus the Nazarene. 72. And again he denied with an oath, I know not the man. 73. And after a little while they that stood by came and said to Peter, Of a truth thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. 74. Then began he to curse and to swear, I know not the man. And straightway the cock crew. 75. And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
Jesus Delivered to Pilate
1. Now when morning was come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: 2. and they bound him, and led him away, and delivered him up to Pilate the governor.
Judas Hangs Himself
3. Then Judas, which betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4. saying, I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood. But they said, What is that to us? see thou to it. 5. And he cast down the pieces of silver into the sanctuary, and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. 6. And the chief priests took the pieces of silver, and said, It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood. 7. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. 8. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. 9. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was priced, whom certain of the children of Israel did price; 10. and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.
Jesus Before Pilate
11. Now Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. 12. And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. 13. Then saith Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? 14. And he gave him no answer, not even to one word: insomuch that the governor marveled greatly.
The Crowd Chooses Barabbas
15. Now at the feast the governor was wont to release unto the multitude one prisoner, whom they would. 16. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. 17. When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? 18. For he knew that for envy they had delivered him up. 19. And while he was sitting on the judgment-seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that righteous man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. 20. Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21. But the governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? And they said, Barabbas. 22. Pilate saith unto them, What then shall I do unto Jesus which is called Christ? They all say, Let him be crucified. 23. And he said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out exceedingly, saying, Let him be crucified.
Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified
24. So when Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing, but rather that a tumult was arising, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man: see ye to it. 25. And all the people answered and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. 26. Then released he unto them Barabbas: but Jesus he scourged and delivered to be crucified.
Jesus Is Mocked
27. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the palace, and gathered unto him the whole band. 28. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. 29. And they plaited a crown of thorns and put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled down before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! 30. And they spat upon him, and took the reed and smote him on the head. 31. And when they had mocked him, they took off from him the robe, and put on him his garments, and led him away to crucify him.
The Crucifixion
32. And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to go with them, that he might bear his cross. 33. And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, The place of a skull, 34. they gave him wine to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted it, he would not drink. 35. And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments among them, casting lots: 36. and they sat and watched him there. 37. And they set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 38. Then are there crucified with him two robbers, one on the right hand, and one on the left. 39. And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, 40. and saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself: if thou art the Son of God, come down from the cross. 41. In like manner also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 42. He saved others; himself he cannot save. He is the King of Israel; let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe on him. 43. He trusteth on God; let him deliver him now, if he desireth him: for he said, I am the Son of God. 44. And the robbers also that were crucified with him cast upon him the same reproach.
The Death of Jesus
45. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 47. And some of them that stood there, when they heard it, said, This man calleth Elijah. 48. And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. 49. And the rest said, Let be; let us see whether Elijah cometh to save him. 50. And Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit. 51. And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake; and the rocks were rent; 52. and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints that had fallen asleep were raised; 53. and coming forth out of the tombs after his resurrection they entered into the holy city and appeared unto many. 54. Now the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. 55. And many women were there beholding from afar, which had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56. among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Jesus Is Buried
57. And when even was come, there came a rich man from Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: 58. this man went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded it to be given up. 59. And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60. and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and departed. 61. And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
The Guard at the Tomb
62. Now on the morrow, which is the day after the Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together unto Pilate, 63. saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I rise again. 64. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest haply his disciples come and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: and the last error will be worse than the first. 65. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a guard: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. 66. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, the guard being with them.
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme:Palm Sunday
Indicative: The life of following Jesus is like a procession. In this procession, we need to see what our motives are, whether this procession is out of loyalty or out of ulterior motives{alertSuccess}
1. Palm Sunday is one of the threesome of the Holy Week, which comprises Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. Today Jesus solemnly enters Jerusalem, the city of destiny. There he would be tried, persecuted, and killed on the cross. But he would rise from death victoriously and gloriously
2. His entry into the earthly Jerusalem signifies his entry into the heavenly Jerusalem, the heaven. But that heavenly entry must be preceded by trial and death, the moments of the way of the cross and crucifixion. There is no glory without suffering. There is no resurrection without passion and crucifixion
3. The crowd on the Palm Sunday represents the whole of humanity. This comprises different categories and different mentalities of people. There are people sincere and insincere, well-motivated and ill-motivated, trusting and stable, unbelieving and unstable, loyal and disloyal, spiritual and unspiritual
4. The occasion is solemn entry into Jerusalem and the kingly procession. But the readings are passion or suffering readings that focus on the aspect of suffering. This also shows the nature of our God, the nature of our salvation. Our God is a God who suffers for our sake. And our salvation entails necessarily suffering
5. The crowd on Palm Sunday turns into a crowd on Good Friday within a very few days. This shows how shallow was their faith in Jesus and their life of faith. It was a crowd that was largely non-committal toward Jesus. They had no deep loyalty to Jesus. Their faith was not deep. Their relationship with Jesus was not intimate or personal. Their faith was mostly based on favours and miracles. It was superficial and peripheral
6. Shallowness leads to unsteadiness and then wickedness. Being not deep-rooted and not committed, they were so wavering in their response and behaviour. They were expectant of something worldly and spectacular from Jesus. They were excited over their wrong expectations about Jesus. When Jesus upsets their political ambitions and earthly interests, they become frustrated and wicked. Thus, Palm Sunday turns into Passion Sunday.
Imperative: Am I also so unstable in my loyalty to the Lord? Do I also easily change the party from good to evil? Do I also have the same tendency of betraying my Lord from “Hosanna! Hosanna!” to “Crucify him! Crucify him!”?{alertSuccess}
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