Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

Today the Church celebrates Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord. The assigned readings are Luke 19:28-40, Isaiah 50:4-7, Philippians 2:6-11, and Mark 14:1-15:47. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 22 (Psalm 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24). 

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

YouTube: Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 22 "My God, my God, why have You abandoned me?"


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

Jesus proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem. As he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany  at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples. He said, "Go into the village opposite you, and as you enter it you will find a colt tethered  on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. And if anyone should ask you, 'Why are you untying it?' you will answer, 'The Master has need of it.'"

So those who had been sent went off  and found everything just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying this colt?" They answered, "The Master has need of it."

So they brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks over the colt, and helped Jesus to mount. As he rode along, the people were spreading their cloaks on the road; and now as he was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of his disciples began to praise God aloud with joy for all the mighty deeds they had seen. They proclaimed: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest."

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples."

He said in reply, "I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!"

Reflections on this day and on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Palm/Passion Sunday (March 20, 2016)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflection: Palm/Passion Sunday (March 20, 2016)

Community in Mission: See What the End Shall Be - Palm Sunday (19 MAR 16)

Deacon Greg Kandra: Second Chances: "We Are the Mob": Homily for Palm Sunday (19 MAR 16)

The Sacred Page: Jesus Cheered, then Killed: Readings for Palm/Passion Sunday (15 MAR 16)

The Sacred Page: The Passion and Death of Jesus (Part 1): The Sunday Mass Readings Explained (Palm Sunday) (16 MAR 16) 

 The Sacred Page: The Passion and Death of Jesus (Part 2): The Sunday Mass Readings Explained (Palm Sunday) (4th Sunday in Lent) (18 MAR 16) 

Word on Fire: The Master Has Need of You (Cycle C * Lent * Week Palm Sunday)

St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology: Passion of the Christ: Scott Hahn Reflects on Passion Sunday (14 MAR 16)

The Dispatch: Three gifts offered by Jesus on His way to the Cross (19 MAR 16)

Spirituality of the Readings: King/Criminal (Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion)

Let the Scriptures Speak: Notes for Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion)

The Word Embodied: In Human Likeness (Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion)

Historical Cultural Context: The Passion of Jesus (Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Cyril of Alexandria (Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion)

Word to Life Radio Broadcast: Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion (18 MAR 16)