Today we begin Holy Week, the most sacred week in the life of the Church. Palm Sunday brings us two very powerful moments: the joyful entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem and the suffering and death of Jesus in the Passion.
At the beginning of Mass, we hear the people shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David! They welcome Jesus like a king. They wave palms, they celebrate, they rejoice. But only a few days later, the same crowd cries out: “Crucify him!” This shows us something very real about human nature: People can praise you today and reject you tomorrow. People can follow you today and abandon you tomorrow. This is not just about the crowd, but about us.
Sometimes we are like the crowd: We say Hosanna on Sunday, but forget Jesus during the week. We follow Jesus when things are good, but abandon Him when life becomes difficult. We love Him in words, but not always in action.
Palm Sunday asks us a serious question: Am I a true follower of Jesus, or only a follower when it is convenient? Jesus enters Jerusalem not on a horse like a powerful king, but on a donkey, a sign of humility and peace. He knows He is going to suffer. He knows betrayal is coming. He knows the cross is waiting. Yet He continues the journey. Why? Because of love: love for the Father, love for humanity, love for each one of us.
In the Passion, we see different reactions to Jesus: Judas betrays Him; Peter denies Him; The disciples run away; Pilate washes his hands; The crowd condemns Him; But Simon helps Him carry the cross; Veronica wipes His face; The good thief believes in Him; Mary stands at the cross.
The question is: Which one am I? Holy Week invites us not just to listen to the Passion, but to enter into it. To walk with Jesus. To suffer with Jesus. To remain with Jesus. The palms we carry today are not just signs of victory; they are signs of commitment. They remind us that following Christ means walking with Him not only in joy, but also in sacrifice.
To say Hosanna means: “Lord, save us.” And Jesus answers that prayer on the cross. As we begin Holy Week, let us make a simple decision to making this week holy: To pray more, To attend the Holy Week celebrations, To walk with Him from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. Because the journey of the cross always leads to the victory of the resurrection.
God is Good, All the Time!
Father Tony Udoh, MSP
Pastor of Holy Family
