Palm Sunday - A - April 5, 2020

The Passion According to Matthew

Passion Sunday begins Holy Week, a week we remember and relive the sufferings of Jesus on the cross. It is a solemn time to reflect on our suffering and failings, to empathize with others who hurt and to walk a few steps in the sandals of the Master.

Sunday Studies

PALM PROCESSION Matthew portrayed the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem as the procession of a king. The King had come, but the assent to the throne would be through suffering.

FIRST READING Second Isaiah saw the leader for the exiles as a shamed, beaten man. Yet, this man would be the one to rouse the faithful.

PSALM Psalm 22 is a psalm of adversity that began with the famous line, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

SECOND READING In his letter to the Philippians, St. Paul quoted from a community hymn about Christ, the one who emptied himself and suffered, so he could receive honor before men and God.

GOSPEL Matthew's Passion is broken down into three studies. The first two are new, covering the betrayal/Last Supper/arrest of Jesus and his trial before Caiaphas.

Other Resources:

DAILY READINGS for the Fifth Week in Lent.

CHILDREN'S READING Every year, the story for the Passion concerns a small hockey player who suffered humiliation in the championship game, just as Jesus suffered in his final hour.

CATECHISM LINK The Catechism Link this Sunday is the Stations of the Cross.

FAMILY ACTIVITY What do you do with the palms you bring home from Church? Have family members form them into crosses to remember the Passion of the Lord.