Today we celebrate Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord. It is the beginning of Holy Week. About these holy days the introduction to the Roman Missal says this: “Since Christ accomplished his work of human redemption and of the perfect glorification of God principally through his Paschal Mystery, in which by dying he has destroyed our death, and by rising restored our life, the sacred Paschal Triduum of the Passion and Resurrection of the Lord shines forth as the high point of the entire liturgical year” (n. 18).
The Liturgy today begins by recalling Jesus’ entry into the city of Jerusalem humbly riding a donkey – a beast of burden – rather than a mighty fiery stallion. The people honor him with their cloaks and palm branches. That entry of Jesus into Jerusalem helps us to think about how we humbly welcome Christ into our lives and honor his presence with virtuous living. I hope that you are able to participate in the various liturgies of this week as ways to enter more fully into the mystery of God’s saving love.