March 28: Palm Sunday

This week's readings:
At the Procession with Palms:
Mark 11:1-10 or John 12:12-16
First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7
Responsorial Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
Reading II: Philippians 2:6-11
Gospel: Mark 14:1-15:47 or 15:1-39

Processional Gospels:
Mark 11:1-10 Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem:  Mark details Jesus’ specific planning including instructions to the disciples to find a colt for him to ride. The reason? In approximately 520 BC, Zechariah rejoiced that our king, a just savior, would ride a colt. (Zechariah 9:9). Zechariah decried ancient kings of Judah whose warrior style wrought havoc; he longed for a meek Messiah bringing peace. Mark and John show the people’s exultant expectation that Jesus would triumph and they would live in the Messianic kindom.  
Or John 12:12-16 John’s account of a more spontaneous crowd focuses on Jesus’ power and identity. 

Isaiah 50:4-7  We hear this scripture proclaimed every Palm Sunday. This was written in approximately 55 0BC by the prophet of the Babylonian exile (597-583).  It is the prophet’s calling to bring his message to far-away peoples and he will be persecuted for his efforts. He set his face like flint and gives profound encouragement to the weary; he knows God was his help.

Psalm 22:8-9,17-20,23-24 Jesus prayed these words when on the cross:  “My God, my God why have you abandoned me?

Philippians 2:6-11 Paul is likely to have written this in AD60 to one of the first congregations in Macedonia. He is grateful to the Philippians and considers them partners in defense of the gospel. Since the word “joy” appears eleven times in this one letter, Philippians is called Paul’s “letter of joy.” We are invited to have the same attitude of humility as Jesus. 

Mark 14:1-15:47  Please make time to pray with this gospel alone each day this week. Stop after every few sentences to enter into the scene. Imagine being Jesus.  Sit with Jesus’ suffering for as long as you are able. On another day imagine you are Simon, the leper, the host at the dinner where the woman anointed Jesus with scented oil. Another day imagine you are the woman who Jesus said would forever be remembered for having anointed him for burial. On other days imagine you were a religious leader, a person in the crowd that day, Judas, Peter, Jesus’ disciples finding the man with a jar of water, finding the upper room, preparing the meal, how they each felt when hearing one of them would betray Jesus. Imagine being told to stay awake in Gethsemane and to keep watch. Imagine fighting off sleep. Imagine hearing Jesus three times reproach you for not being alert to what was happening. Imagine being at Jesus’ trial. Imagine Jesus being crowned with thorns, being stuck and spat upon and mocked and stripped. Imagine being Simon, the Cyrenian pressed into helping Jesus carry the cross. Gaze on the tortured body of Jesus on the crucifix for one hour at least one day and whenever you are suffering or pray about the suffering of another. Imagine being Mary Magdalen, Salome, and Mary the mother of young James and Joses, and other women who had followed him and ministered to him. Imagine being Joseph of Arimathea and Pilate. All week be in touch with your yearning for the Last Supper/Holy Thursday, for experiencing the Passion/Good Friday, the Easter Vigil, and the Risen Lord making all things new/Easter newness.

Deni Mack, D.Min., Pastoral Associate Emerita