(Matthew 21:1-11)

(Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22; Philippians 2:6-11; Matthew 26:14- 27:66)

Today’s Scripture readings bring great contrast. Even the triumphant entry into Jerusalem has contrast within it. This triumphant entry is not on the back of a large stallion or in a golden chariot, but it is on the back of a humble donkey, the same way his Mother carried him to be born in Bethlehem.

All through the Gospel readings we have heard Jesus from time to time remind us that God’s way and man’s ways are different. So, we shouldn’t really be surprised when the entry to Jerusalem is ‘different’ too.

The most striking contrast is however the contrast between the Gospel declaring the triumphant entry into Jerusalem and the Passion of Christ during the Liturgy of the Word where the Jewish leaders thought they had put an end to Jesus.  The same crowd who welcomed Jesus with Hosannah’s now cry ‘crucify him!’ The Jewish leaders appear to have won the day, but the reality is those leaders were doomed for eternity. For them the blood of the sacrificial lambs they would smear on their door posts would no longer allow the angel of death to pass over their household; now they had the Blood of the Lamb on their hands.

Jesus, chose to go to His death to save us. We have no need to sacrifice innocent animals for our penance, because the innocent Son of God has died for us. We have no need to smear the blood of a lamb on our door posts, because we can have the Blood of Christ on our lips. Jesus gave the perfect example of self-sacrifice to demonstrate His love for us. It is hard for us to imagine loving anyone this much, but we do see examples in our lives of people who make tremendous sacrifices out of love.[1]

There are many people I have encountered throughout my life, who have looked after their sick spouse to the detriment of their own health, their dedication to their wedding vows is complete and inspiring. Others who have had to give up looking after a spouse, a parent or a child because they are no longer able to provide the care safely, and who visit every day or when circumstances allow. This is a sacrificial love; it is the type of love Jesus has for us. His sacrifice is timeless, as the events of the Passion take place in a non-bleeding renewal in all Holy Masses every hour of the day, somewhere in the world.

During the week I attended Stations of the Cross led by Year 6 pupils from St Anne’s school and another set of Stations led by the Year 6 pupils of St Bede’s school. Both of these events were acted out by the pupils to great effect. During both events there were times when you could hear a pin drop as all of the other pupils watched and prayed alongside the young actors. Both of these events displayed powerful witness to the Passion of Our Lord, and while the parents were asked to leave in silence, the reality was that most would not have needed the instruction.

Further Reading

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

CCC 557-560: Christ’s entry into Jerusalem
CCC 602-618: the Passion of Christ
CCC 2816: Christ’s kingship gained through his death and Resurrection
CCC 654, 1067-1068, 1085, 1362: the Paschal Mystery and the liturgy[2]

Please remember in your prayers

  • All those who are sick, either at home or in hospital, especially those who have very few or no visitors.
  • Those who have died and those who grieve for them.
  • Those who completed and those who continue with the RCIA programme; especially those preparing for Sacraments this Easter.
  • The young people preparing for Confirmation in our Pastoral Area.
  • The success of the Pastoral Area Mission Plan.
  • The continued success of the Pastoral Area Lent course on Prayer.
  • The children who complete their Baptism Preparation sessions this week.

Deacon Tony

28th March 2026

[1]Mark & Liz Dutton, I Am With You, [Two in One Flesh, Caterham, 2013]48.

[2] Homiletic Directory, Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments