Gospel: March 29, 2026
March 29, 2026 (Sunday)
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
Psalter: Proper (Red)
Ps 22: 8-9. 17-18. 19-20. 23-24
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
1st Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7
2nd Reading: Philippians 2:6-11
Gospel: Matthew 26:14-27:66*
Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “How much will you give me if I hand him over to you?” They promised to give him 30 pieces of silver; and from then on, he kept looking for the best way to hand Jesus over to them. On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal for you?” Jesus answered, “Go into the city, to the house of a certain man, and tell him, ‘The Master says: My hour is near, and I will celebrate the Passover with my disciples in your house.’” The disciples did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover meal. When it was evening, Jesus sat at table with the Twelve. While they were eating, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you: one of you will betray me.” They were deeply distressed, and they asked him, one after the other, “You do not mean me, do you, Lord?” He answered, “The one who dips his bread with me will betray me. (…) While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said a blessing and broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying, “Take and eat: this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and gave thanks, and passed it to them, saying, “Drink this, all of you, for this is my blood, the blood of the Covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Yes, I say to you: From now on I will not taste the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink new wine with you in my Father’s kingdom.” After singing psalms of praise, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will falter tonight because of me, and all of you will fall. (…) “Father, if this cup cannot be taken away from me without my drinking it, your will must be done.” When he came back to his disciples, he, again, found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open.
So leaving them again, Jesus went to pray for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came back to his disciples and said to them, “You can sleep on now and take your rest! The hour has come, and the Son of Man will be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go! See, the betrayer is here!” Jesus was still speaking when Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, who had been sent by the chief priests and the elders of the people.
The traitor had given them a sign: “The one I kiss, he is the man; arrest him!” Judas went directly to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and he kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they laid hands on Jesus, and arrested him. (…) Then all his disciples deserted Jesus and fled. Those who had arrested Jesus took him to the house of the High Priest Caiaphas where the teachers of the law and the elders were assembled. (…)
Meanwhile, as Peter sat outside in the courtyard, a young servant-girl said to him, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.” But he denied it before everyone, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” (…) After a little while, those who were standing there approached Peter and said to him, “Surely you are one of the Galileans: your accent gives you away.” Peter began to justify himself with curses and oaths, protesting that he did not know Jesus. Just then, a cock crowed. And Peter remembered the words of Jesus, “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” And going out, he wept bitterly. (…)
Lectio Divina:
His sufferings were redemptive.
Read: The readings for this Sunday lead us into the most sacred time of the Church’s calendar. They present a portrait of our humble and meek king as he approaches his passion and death. The passages from the prophet Isaiah and the Psalms remind us of the suffering servant who never turns away from his divine call and willingly submits to his suffering. They culminate in the narrative of the Lord’s Passion according to Matthew.
Reflect: As we enter Holy Week, we reflect on the Lord’s physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering. He endured physical pain through His scourging and crucifixion, emotional distress from the betrayal and abandonment of His friends, and spiritual agony in feeling forsaken by His Father as He hung on the Cross. However, His sufferings were redemptive, for He unites our pain with His and offers us salvation. They remind us that we are never alone in our suffering because He experienced pain and emerged victorious. In our struggles, we find hope in Christ, who transforms suffering into victory. Let us walk with Him in this Holy Season, trusting that we are healed through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection.
Pray: Thank you, Lord, for saving us by your passion, death, and resurrection. Enable us to also walk with our suffering brothers and sisters.
Act: Go and help a suffering or needy neighbor.
