Six Points for Palm Sunday

While, historically, Jesus endured one horrific passion and death on a cross, we are blessed with four narratives of that same passion and death: Matthew’s, Mark’s, Luke’s and John’s.

Today, on Palm Sunday, let me share with you six points of reflection which are Luke’s gift to us for our edification and for our spiritual growth.

1. Holy Communion is a call to joyous service of each other. As, at the Last Supper, he was serving us his flesh and blood for our spiritual nourishment and as a pledge of life eternal, he reminded us that we, too, are called to humble and joyous service of each other: I am among you as the one who serves. (Luke 22:27) Holy Communion is not for personal consumption but to prepare us to be at the service of the whole Body of Christ, the whole Church. 

2. Peter; threefold denial of Jesus alerts us about our human frailty. Our weaknesses should be accepted with humility so that we do not rely on our meager human resources but on God’s grace always available to us.

3. How comforting! Jesus is always aware of our times of sheer anguish, paralyzing fears and intense inner struggles. We are certain of that because, in the Garden of Gethsemane, his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. His direct experience of intense pain makes him our best intercessor before the throne of the Father.

4. From Jesus’ attempt at consoling the women of Jerusalem, who were mourning and lamenting him, we should learn that even when we are going through severe trials, we should not ignore the pain of those around us.

5. The humble request of the repentant thief should bring us the comfort of knowing that our heavenly Father doesn’t give up on any of his children and that his mercy is boundless for all those who show sincere sorrow for their sins.

6. The Gospels have short, existential prayers. This passion narrative from Luke has two of the most beautiful ones. Whenever we want to intensify the sorrow for our sins, we can repeat the humble prayer of the repentant thief: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” (Luke 23:42) And whenever we feel anguished and restless, we should repeat the prayer of total surrender which Jesus said to his Father: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”; Luke 23:46. We should repeat it until peace returns into our heart.