2026 Cycle A - Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

Readings

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

Matthew 21:1-11; Isaiah 50: 4-7; Psalm 22; Philippians 2: 6-11; Matthew 26: 14-27, 66 or Mt 27:11-54

Homily Theme

Prophetic Utterances

Today, we begin the first day of Holy Week. During all the special Liturgies this week, we will hear rather long readings, as we listen to the different Gospel passages that contain the accounts of Lord’s Passion. All of them will have quotes from the Old Testament Jewish Prophesies. They will all contain some Prophetic Utterances.

What are Prophetic Utterances? They are words taken from the Jewish scriptures that are fulfilled by Jesus beyond their wildest dreams. In the first reading from Isaiah today, we will find several Prophetic Utterances that are fulfilled by Jesus. I gave my back to those who beat me. He was scourged. He gave his cheeks to those who plucked his beard and his face to those who spat upon him. These are true Prophetic Utterances.

Psalm 22 is a great example of Prophetic Utterances. It contains a whole series of them. In the Psalm this Passion Sunday, Jesus calls out from the cross. “My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?” Many people have asked me why did Jesus call out to the Father, asking why He had abandoned Hi? Had Jesus despaired of the Father’s love for Him? No, He was reminding them of the psalm of David that they all knew by heart, just as we do when the priest intones the first line of the Our Father or the Hail Mary. We know the rest of it. So devote Jews also know the words of Psalm 22. Listen carefully this Sunday to the words of the psalm. It is describing the scene at the crucifixion. It is full of Prophetic Utterances.

Imagine you were a Jew at the crucifixion of Jesus and you heard Jesus cry out “My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?” What would your thoughts be as you watched Jesus fulfilling each verse of that psalm? In deed, many dogs (Gentiles), the Roman Soldiers) surround me; a packs of evil doers close in upon me. They have pieced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones. Pay particular attention this Holy week to the many Prophetic Utterances we will hear as the scriptures from the Old Testament is fulfilled in the New Covenant.

Will you be at Church to celebrate the holiest week in the Christian year? As you hear the Scriptures; listen carefully to the words of the Evangelists; you may hear something especially meant for you to hear. Be there and listen well. Invite friends to come to church with this Holy Week. It may be Life Changing experience for you and for them.

May you have a very Blessed & Holy Week.Also.