05 April 2020

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

Today the Church celebrates Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion. The assigned readings are Matthew 21:1-11, Isaiah 40:4-7, Philippians 2:6-11, and Matthew 26:14-27:55. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 22 (Psalm 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Psalm 22: My God, My God (Haugen setting)

The Gospel reading at the procession with palms is as follows:

When Jesus and the disciples drew near Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tethered, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them here to me. And if anyone should say anything to you, reply, 'The master has need of them.' Then he will send them at once."

This happened so that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: "Say to daughter Zion, 'Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'"

The disciples went and did as Jesus had ordered them. They brought the ass and the colt and laid their cloaks over them, and he sat upon them. The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road. The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying: "Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is the he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest."

And when he entered Jerusalem the whole city was shaken and asked, "Who is this?" And the crowds replied, "This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee."

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sunday Reflections: Palm/Passion Sunday (April 5, 2020)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: The Passion of Our Lord (April 5, 2020)

Community in Mission: See What the End Shall Be - A Homily for Palm Sunday (4 APR 20)

Crossroads Initiative: Palm Sunday, COVID-19, and the Victory of Humility

Rhode Island Catholic: The Quiet Corner: An unflinching trust in God's Divine Providence is the key to Isaiah's prophecy (2 APR 20)

St. Paul Center: All Is Fulfilled: Scott Hahn Reflects on Passion Sunday

The Gregorian Institute at Benedictine College: This Sunday: Live the Passion in Your Life (2 APR 20)

Word on Fire: Into the Cacophony of Sin

National Catholic Register: Sunday Guide: The Depths of Christ's Suffering (3 APR 20)

Spirituality of the Readings: King? Really? (Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion - Year A)

In Exile: The Cross as Revealing the Inner Life of God (Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion - Year A)

Glancing Thoughts: The King on a Donkey (Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion - Year A)

The Perspective of Justice: Suffering (Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion - Year A)

Let the Scriptures Speak: In Accordance with the Scriptures (Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion - Year A)


The Word Embodied: Betrayal (Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion - Year A)


Historical Cultural Context: The Development of the Passion Story (Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion - Year A)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary, Blessing of the Palms, by Gregory Palamas (Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion - Year A)

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