PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’ Solemnity PASSION
Also Read: Mass Readings for 28 Mar 2021
First Reading: Isaiah 50: 4-7
Of Tongues and Ears!
“The LORD GOD has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens – wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The LORD GOD has opened my ear and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. (v.4-5)
May we, who claim to be Christ’s disciples truly use our tongues and ears to the glory of GOD! Christ set us an example of teaching the GOSPEL by HIS Life and Listening to the WILL of the Father! When we awaken our dead selves to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in us; we hear HIS word in our ear! Then, we are to open our mouths to teach others! When we humble ourselves before the LORD, we are enriched with the boldness of CHRIST to Speak HIS Language! Let our tongues bring healing and our ears be obedient. Amen!
“Therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know I shall not be put to shame.” (v.7) Christ stood firm under the weight of the cross because HE knew the shaming was not going to overcome Him. -The CROSS was to be the SIGN of HIS Victory! May we remain Steadfast in Faith on our Passion Journey and offer it as an acceptable and pleasing sacrifice through LORD JESUS. Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 22: 8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
He delivers and Rescues
“Commit your cause to the LORD; let him deliver – let him rescue the one in whom he delights!”(v.8)
“Deliver my soul from the sword, my life from the power of the dog!”(v.20)
When Our GOD sees our hearts, may HE see the humility in it! May HE then grant us the courage to tackle the earthly dogs prowling about to ruin us!
Second Reading: Philippians 2: 6-11
Humility Glorified
“So that at the name of JESUS every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue should confess that JESUS Christ is LORD to the GLORY of GOD the Father.”
(v.10-11)
CHRIST was in the form of GOD(v.6) but emptied Himself(v.7), therefore, GOD also highly exalted HIM! (v.9) Christ is the epitome of Humility, is glorified forever. The proud one was thrown out of heaven! (Is 14: 12-15; Rev 12: 1-17) CHRIST defeated him once for all! Every Knee on earth, above it and under it should bend at the name of JESUS CHRIST of Nazareth! We are given free will so that we should revere HIM freely – out of our own choice! That’s where we falter -in our choice! May we choose the right, just and good! So that our hearts, souls, and spirit may proclaim the Name of JESUS, above every name! Amen!
Gospel: Mark 14: 1 – 15: 47
The Flint-Set Face of Today!
The Passion and death of Our LORD JESUS Christ!
Every year we commemorate the Passion of Christ and read this bible passage! All the three other Gospels also proclaim this event. Yet how much do we let the words sink into our spirit and soul? We may have memorized some of the verses too; but do we feel them in our hearts?
Beginning with the anointing at Bethany, to the last supper, the agony in the garden, the betrayal and denial, the trial, the condemnation, the mockery, the humiliating and painful walk to Calvary, and finally the crucifixion, death, and burial of JESUS; GOD’S plan is at work! Not one act, done by any of the people involved, is out of place or out of turn! CHRIST cooperates with GOD the Father, through HIS Absolute Submission to the Will of the Father.
The flint-set face is Christ’s through-out this ordeal. A face that shows compassion to the weeping women, Veronica, and HIS own mother on the way; is steadfast in the Mission HE must Accomplish! HE is this grain of wheat that is spoken about in the Gospel of John 12:24, that must die to bring life to the world. A dead world needed the Eternal King to die, so that it may be brought back to Life! He gave up HIS life with Love in his pierced heart, for the hand that pierced it. That is our hand today! -The hand, which doesn’t rise for good, but immediately rises to strike! The hand which doesn’t rise to defend but to divide! We stand afar today, jeering at HIS bloodied body and mocking HIM, asking to save Himself just as HE had healed others! We bring up HIS good works to taunt Him! We insult our priests or preachers who even attempt at imitating him! Some of our priests languish in unjust custody at the very mercy of similar boorish crowds today! Some of our preachers are brought down by murderous slanderers!
Is GOD amongst us today? Do we Crucify Him even today?
