Dear brothers and sisters, today we enter the most solemn and sacred week of the liturgical year: Holy Week. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of this journey—a day of paradox, filled with both celebration and sorrow, triumph and tragedy. We began with a joyful procession, waving palms and singing “Hosanna!” as we remembered Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. But then, we listened to the long and painful account of His Passion. The same crowd that welcomed Him with cheers would later cry out, “Crucify Him!”
This paradox invites us to reflect on the mystery of human nature and the depth of God’s love.
Luke’s account of the Passion is unique. He highlights Jesus’ compassion even as He suffers. When Peter denies Him, Jesus turns and looks at him—not with anger, but with love. On the way to Calvary, Jesus speaks to the weeping women of Jerusalem, comforting them. And most movingly, He forgives the repentant thief, saying, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” Even on the cross, Jesus’ heart is full of mercy.
What kind of king is this? Certainly not the one people expected. They wanted a powerful, political messiah who would overthrow Rome. But Jesus comes humbly, riding on a donkey. His throne is the cross. His crown is made of thorns. His glory is love poured out in sacrifice. And yet, this is the King we follow.
The Passion narrative confronts us with a choice: Are we followers who remain faithful even in times of suffering and confusion? Or are we like the crowd—enthusiastic when things go well, but silent or absent when things become difficult?
Let us look at the people in the Passion story and ask where we see ourselves.
Are we like Peter, who loved Jesus deeply but denied Him out of fear? Do we sometimes stay silent about our faith when it’s inconvenient?
Are we like the disciples, who fell asleep in the garden and then fled when Jesus was arrested? Do we abandon our prayer life when we are tired, or neglect our spiritual duties in times of stress?
Are we like Pilate, who knew the truth but allowed injustice for the sake of popularity and politics?
Or are we like Simon of Cyrene, who carried the cross with Jesus? Or the women of Jerusalem, who wept for Him? Or the good thief, who acknowledged his sin and asked Jesus for mercy?
Holy Week gives us the opportunity to walk more closely with Jesus, to recognize our weaknesses, and to return to Him with a sincere heart. The cross was not the end of the story—it was the path to resurrection. But we cannot celebrate Easter without first embracing the cross.
This week, let us slow down and enter deeply into the mystery of Christ’s Passion. Let us not be mere spectators. Let us be participants—through prayer, silence, acts of charity, and especially the liturgies of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil.
Palm Sunday reminds us that Jesus is a different kind of King—a King who reigns not by domination, but by service; not by violence, but by love; not from a throne of gold, but from a cross of wood.
May we have the courage to follow Him all the way to Calvary, so that we may also share in the joy of His resurrection.