Sunday, March 21, 2027 · Year B
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Truly this man was the Son of God
Holy Week begins. The crowds welcome Jesus into Jerusalem with palms and cries of “Hosanna!” Within days He is betrayed, condemned and crucified. Mark’s Passion ends with a Roman centurion’s confession: “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
Mass Readings
- First Reading Isaiah 50:4-7
- Responsorial Psalm Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
- Second Reading Philippians 2:6-11
- Gospel Mark 14:1-15:47
Open the Mass Readings on USCCB.org →
First Reading Isaiah 50:4-7
The Lord’s servant does not turn away. He gives his back to those who beat him and does not shield his face from insults, knowing he will not be put to shame.
Psalm Psalm 22
My God, my God, why have You abandoned me?
Second Reading Philippians 2:6-11
Christ Jesus emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, and became obedient to death on a cross. Because of this God greatly exalted Him.
Gospel Mark 14:1-15:47
Mark’s Passion: the anointing at Bethany, the Last Supper, Gethsemane, the arrest, the trials, Peter’s denial, the crucifixion, Jesus’ death, and His burial.
Step Into the Story
Passover swelled Jerusalem many times over, with pilgrims camped on every hillside; Josephus gives fantastic figures in the millions. Pontius Pilate came up from Caesarea with extra troops to keep order. Crucifixion was Rome’s death for slaves and rebels, so vile that Cicero said the very word should be kept from a Roman citizen’s ears. Philippians quotes what is probably an early hymn: Christ emptied Himself, “even death on a cross.”
- 164 B.C.Judas Maccabeus rededicates the Temple
- 63 B.C.Pompey takes Jerusalem
- 14 A.D.Tiberius becomes emperor
- 26 A.D.Pilate becomes prefect
- This week’s scene: c. 30 A.D.Jesus rides into Jerusalem
Stand on the Mount of Olives, near Bethphage, likely in the spring of 30 A.D. Two disciples come back leading an unbroken colt and throw their cloaks on it. Jesus mounts, Zechariah’s humble king, and starts down the steep road toward the city. Below, across the Kidron, Jerusalem fills the view: walls, palaces and the Temple shining white and gold.
Feel the crowd swell around you. People spread cloaks on the road and leafy branches cut from the fields. Hear the shouts ahead and behind: “Hosanna!” which means “Save us!” Smell crushed greenery and the dust of a thousand feet. On the walls, Roman sentries watch. Walk beside the colt as it picks its way downhill, and stay close to Him. Within the week He will be led out of this city to a cross.
Encounter the Lord
Stand by the road into Jerusalem, a palm branch in your hand. The crowd is shouting “Hosanna!” Then follow Jesus through the week: the supper, the garden, the arrest, the mockery, the cross. The same city that welcomed Him rejects Him.
Where would you have been? With the crowd, with the sleeping disciples, with Peter warming himself by the fire? Mark does not flatter the disciples, and the Passion does not flatter us. But it shows how far God’s love goes. Christ emptied Himself and became obedient to death on a cross, for you. A Roman soldier who watched Him die saw what the crowds missed: “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
This week, keep Holy Week holy. Take part in the Triduum: the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, the celebration of the Passion on Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. Keep your blessed palm near a crucifix at home.
Know Your Faith
- 94·Jesus entering Jerusalem knowing He would die
- 100·Jesus’ agony on the Mount of Olives
- 101·why Jesus redeemed us on the cross
Christ’s Entry Into Jerusalem
Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem, ready to die there (CCC 557). Though He had always refused attempts to make Him king, He chose the time for His messianic entry; acclaimed as Son of David, He entered riding on a donkey (CCC 559).
The Passion of Christ
In Gethsemane Jesus accepted the cup from His Father’s hands, expressing the horror that death represented for His human nature, and became obedient unto death (CCC 612). His sacrifice is unique: a gift of the Father and the free offering of the Son in reparation for our disobedience (CCC 614).
Love to the End
It is love “to the end” that gives Christ’s sacrifice its value as redemption. He knew and loved us all when He offered His life (CCC 616).
Holy Week
The Church’s liturgy solemnly opens Holy Week with the celebration of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (CCC 560).
Key Takeaways
- Scripture
- Doctrine
- Sacraments
- Christian Life
- Doctrine: Jesus went to Jerusalem knowing that He would suffer and die there.
- Doctrine: Jesus freely offered His life on the cross out of love for the Father and for us.
- Doctrine: Christ emptied Himself and became obedient to death, and the Father exalted Him.
- Sacraments: Holy Week is the most important week of the Church’s year.
Test Your Knowledge
True or false? Tap your answer.
Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a war horse to show His power.
False: He entered humbly, riding on a colt, CCC 559.
“Hosanna” means “Save!”
True.
Jesus went to Jerusalem unaware of what would happen to Him.
False: He set His face toward Jerusalem, ready to die there, CCC 557.
In Gethsemane Jesus’ human nature felt horror before death.
True.
Christ’s sacrifice is both a gift from the Father and the free offering of the Son.
True.
Philippians 2 says Christ emptied Himself and became obedient to death on a cross.
True.
In Mark, the first to confess Jesus as Son of God after His death is one of the apostles.
False: it is a Roman centurion.
Christ knew and loved each of us when He offered His life.
True.
Psalm 22 begins with the words Jesus prayed on the cross: “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
True.
Palm Sunday opens Holy Week.
True.
Answers: 1 F (He entered humbly, riding on a colt, CCC 559) · 2 T · 3 F (He set His face toward Jerusalem, ready to die there, CCC 557) · 4 T · 5 T · 6 T · 7 F (it is a Roman centurion) · 8 T · 9 T · 10 T
Journal Prompts
In the Passion, which person do I most resemble? Why?
What does it mean to me that Christ knew and loved me when He offered His life?
How will I keep this Holy Week different from an ordinary week?
What do I want to say to Jesus as I look at the cross?
Talk to God
Lord Jesus, You entered Jerusalem humbly and freely gave Your life on the cross for me. Keep me close to You this Holy Week, and with the centurion let me confess that You are the Son of God. Amen.