Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (Year C) – 13th April 2025

Quick Glance Summary

Theme: Faithfulness to God, faithfulness to us, in the Face of SufferingKey

Message: Christ enters His Passion not as a victim, but as a willing Saviour. In His humility, He reveals true kingship and a humanity rooted in love, sacrifice, and obedience to the Father.

First Reading (Isaiah 50:4–7): The prophet speaks as the suffering servant — faithful despite persecution. He knows the Lord will not abandon him.

Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 21:8–9, 17–20, 23–24): A psalm of lament that echoes the voice of the suffering Christ, yet ends in hope and praise.

Second Reading (Philippians 2:6–11): An early Christian hymn proclaiming Christ’s self-emptying: though equal with God, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross.

Gospel (Luke 22:14—23:56 or Luke 23:1–49): Luke’s Passion narrative emphasises Jesus’ innocence, His compassion even in suffering, and His merciful love — forgiving His executioners and promising paradise to the repentant thief.

Gospel for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (Year C) – 13th April 2025

Luke 23:1–49 (short form)

The assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.” Then Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He answered, “You say so.” Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.” But they were insistent and said, “He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.”

When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod… [Herod mocks Jesus and sends him back.] Pilate then called together the chief priests and the leaders and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people… I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death… I will therefore have him flogged and release him.” Then they all shouted out together, “Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!” Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” So Pilate gave his verdict… he handed Jesus over as they wished.

As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus… A great number of people followed him… Jesus turned to the women and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children…”

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” They cast lots to divide his clothing…

One of the criminals said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land… Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last.

When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.” And when all the crowds saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts.

Overview of the Gospel Passage

Luke’s Passion narrative is marked by dignity and mercy. Jesus is portrayed as the innocent one — wrongly accused, beaten, mocked, yet never embittered. From the cross, He speaks not of wrath but of forgiveness.

He comforts the weeping women, He prays for His executioners, and He opens heaven to a repentant thief. Even in His final breath, He offers Himself to the Father in peaceful trust. Luke invites us to see not just the suffering of Jesus, but the meaning of that suffering — a path of redemptive love freely embraced.

Connecting the Gospel to Cultural and Spiritual Life Today

Illustration: Living the Passion: Lessons from Luke for Lent

Luke’s account of the Passion invites us not only to witness Jesus’ suffering but also to walk with him, allowing his example to shape our own lives. It’s a story of deep love, quiet strength, and radical mercy—offered even in the face of betrayal, violence, and death.

In Luke’s account of the Passion and Death of Jesus, we see:

• A way to forgive: Jesus prays for those who crucify him. He teaches us to let go of hatred and live in mercy.
• A call to love: Even in pain, he notices the weeping women, the thief beside him. Compassion doesn’t pause when life gets hard.
• A trust that surrenders: With his final breath, Jesus entrusts himself to the Father. We are invited to do the same in our uncertainty and fear.
• A vision of mercy: The thief on the cross finds paradise in his last hour. No one is too far gone for grace.
• A life of integrity: Jesus remains rooted in peace, prayer, and truth throughout his trial. We are called to live from that same center.

In the Church’s Lenten journey, the Passion according to Luke becomes both mirror and map—a mirror that shows us where we fall short, and a map that reveals how to follow Christ more faithfully.

Jesus not only shapes our future by revealing heaven to us in his Resurrection.He shapes our present life by offering us an example of how to live and how to die.

Reflection Questions with Responses

1. Who or what groups might find these readings especially helpful?

• Those experiencing suffering or injustice — Jesus' Passion shows He is close to all who suffer unjustly.
• Caregivers and frontline workers — Simon of Cyrene reminds us of the sacredness of helping carry another’s burden.
• Prisoners and those facing consequences of past choices — The good thief shows it is never too late to turn to Christ.
• Clergy and Church leaders — Christ models servant leadership, especially in the face of rejection or trial.
• The bereaved and grieving — Mary, the women, and the faithful few who stayed at the cross offer quiet solidarity.

2. What human weaknesses do they address, and what virtues do they aim to strengthen?

• Weaknesses: Cowardice, injustice, apathy, violence, pride, betrayal.
• Virtues: Courage, humility, obedience, compassion, perseverance, and redemptive suffering. Jesus’ way is not one of avoidance or denial, but of confronting evil with love — even unto death.

3. What is the feeling tone of each reading?

• First Reading: Steady and faithful, despite hardship.
• Psalm: Raw and sorrowful, yet hopeful.
• Second Reading: Reverent and worshipful — a cosmic view of Christ’s humility.
• Gospel: Solemn and powerful — sorrow mingled with dignity, sacrifice with triumph.

4. Which saints or well-known figures exemplify the message of each reading?

• St. Maximilian Kolbe — willingly gave his life in place of another, echoing Christ’s self-sacrifice.
• St. Veronica Giuliani — bore the wounds of Christ and lived in profound union with His Passion.
• St. Óscar Romero — preached justice and forgiveness to the end, even as he faced death.
• St. Joseph of Arimathea & St. Mary Magdalene — who remained faithful at the foot of the cross.

5. What works of art, poems, or pieces of music provide insight into the message?

• J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion — a deeply meditative musical rendering of the Passion narrative.
• Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ — though graphic, captures the visceral reality of the crucifixion.
• Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poem “Carrion Comfort” — a wrestling with God through suffering.
• Marc Chagall’s White Crucifixion — depicting Christ’s suffering amidst modern violence and persecution.

6. Where has the message of these readings been true in my life or those close to me, and is there a story I can share about that? One priest shared how, during Holy Week, he visited a man dying in hospital — estranged from family, filled with regret. In a whisper, the man asked, “Do you think there's still time?” The priest thought of the good thief and simply said, “Yes. Today, you will be with Him in Paradise.” The man cried — not in fear, but in peace. He received the sacraments. Christ, even at the eleventh hour, had embraced him.

First Reading – Isaiah 50:4–7

The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens— wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backwards. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.

Second Reading – Philippians 2:6–11

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Prayer of the Faithful – Palm Sunday (Year C, with a Lucan Focus)

Presider: As we enter Holy Week and walk with Christ through his suffering and death, we lift up our prayers for the Church and for the world, trusting in the mercy and love of God.

Reader:

For the Church throughout the world – that we may follow Christ with faith and courage, bearing witness to his love in word and deed. Lord, in your mercy…R. Hear our prayer.

For a world in need of healing and peace – that Christ’s mercy may reach into places of violence, injustice, and despair, and bring hope to the forgotten. Lord, in your mercy… R. Hear our prayer.

For our own community – that we may walk this Holy Week with open hearts, ready to forgive, to serve, and to love as Jesus did. Lord, in your mercy… R. Hear our prayer.

For all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit – especially the sick, the housebound, and those near death, that they may know the gentle presence of Christ who suffers with them. Lord, in your mercy… R. Hear our prayer.

For those who feel they have no place in God’s story – that they, like the good thief, may hear the promise of Paradise and know that God’s mercy reaches even to the very end. Lord, in your mercy… R. Hear our prayer.

For all who have died – that Christ who conquered death may bring them into the peace of his Kingdom, and that those who mourn may be comforted. Lord, in your mercy… R. Hear our prayer.

Presider: Merciful God, your Son Jesus embraced the cross so that we might know the depth of your love. Hear these prayers we bring before you, and help us to follow him faithfully through this Holy Week and always. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.