March 29, 2026・Passion Sunday （A）

Matthew 21.1-11・

Isaiah 50.4-7・Psalm 22.8+9,17+18, 19+20, 2+24・Philippians 2.6-11・Matthew 27.11-54

We have prayed together during our previous Sunday Masses for those who will be baptized on Easter Vigil mass. We all tried to understand our previous readings in the context of our Baptism. For the catechumenate, it is more in the context of their prayerful anticipation of what will they receive. We learnt from the teachings of Jesus to really listen to His words, repent and live a new life in Him. We are called to re-evaluate our needs and wants, go beyond the shallowness of our sense of sight and knowing. 

Today is Palm Sunday. It is important to understand that we are in the high point of our Lenten recollection. Reflecting on the Paschal Mystery is not just about keeping a memory and creating a shallow utter of thanksgiving. A true conversion of heart produces sincere trust in God`s plan of salvation. We carry the palm to express a full trust in the definitive triumph of the cross and trust in the reception of a whole new life in Jesus.

It may at least be a little help for our reflection in observance of Holy Week to pick-up pieces of what is going on in the recent past, and what is going on today around the globe. Each and every nation and nations leaders stand and fight to ensure own nation`s security, speak-out to protect their nation`s culture and peace of every citizen. May the observance of the Holy Week in every corner of the world where religious people (Christians and non-Christians alike) are around, touch the heart of every nation`s leader, and every nation`s citizen too so that they will be able to consider the kind of power that Jesus, especially during His entry to Jerusalem, has shown and has introduced.  

In the Kingdom where Jesus is considered a King, service is its foundational basis, Thus, the power that Jesus introduced brings forth peace, forgiveness and humility. It is our “thousand hopes" that the transformative environment (that) the observance of the Holy Week will definitely create will be able to reach its intended destinations. We then continue to hope and pray  unceasingly.

May each one us too may truly realize and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord in spite of this world`s realities and in spite of many unanswered human questions. So moved with our faith deepened, we profess that Jesus Christ is our Lord who became a humble servant though He is God. May we be obedient too like Him.

God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above

every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven

and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is

Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2.10~)