Palm Sunday of Our Lord's Passion - Year A

Visit www.usccb.org/nab for readings.

READING I
Isaiah 50:4-7

This reading from Isaiah's Suffering Servant Songs, portrays the entire people of Israel as God's willing servant who suffers for the good of others. Through Israel's suffering, God's message of freedom and reign of love will spread to the whole world. A Christian interpretation identifies the suffering servant to be Jesus - who will be rejected by his own people, will suffer, and be put to death by crucifixion.

READING II
Philippians 2:6-11

This hymn was originally written as an early Christian hymn for liturgical use. It begins with the exalted, divine Christ, who is God. It then makes a dramatic descent, surrendering an exalted status to become not only human, but also a slave, obediently enduring the ultimate pain and humiliation of a criminal's death by crucifixion. As a result of his obedience and love, Christ ascends to enjoy dignity with the Father, receiving a name above every other name, "Jesus Christ is Lord!"

GOSPEL
Matthew 26:14-27:66

Each evangelist presents Jesus' passion and death experience from his own perspective. Matthew emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, and repeatedly speaks of Jesus' innocence. For Matthew, Jesus is both king and victim. At the Last Supper, this account has Jesus directing the disciples to eat of his body and to drink from the cup. We recognize this as similar to the wording of our liturgy. In relating the trial, there is a negative tone regarding Jews in Matthew's Gospel that is not present in the others. Matthew wrote during a time of conflict between Pharisaic Jews and Jewish Christians. It should be clarified that even so, Matthew was speaking of specific Jews in leadership and not of all Jews. In Matthew's passion story, Judas repents of his wrongdoing, and insists on the innocence of Jesus. Only Matthew has Pilate placing a guard at Jesus' tomb to prevent his followers from stealing it and falsely claiming his Resurrection.

What thoughts go through your mind as you listen to this long passion Gospel? It relates the actions of Jesus from his Last Supper with his apostles through his death and burial. What part of this drama touches you most this year? What is happening in your life now to make that stand out for you?

We hold palms and take them home with us this Palm Sunday. We are reliving the actions of the Jewish people when Jesus entered Jerusalem. We sing "Hosanna" as people did over 2,000 years ago. How does it feel to be part of a community that comes together to admit belief in Jesus?

March 16 - North American Martyrs
The Martyrs of North America were eight Jesuit men from France who died in the New World preaching the Gospel between the years 1642 and 1649.

March 17 - St. Patrick
St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, was one of the most successful and popular Christian missioners in that country. Patrick was born in Britain in the fifth century, kidnapped at age 16 and forced to be a swineherd. After six years he escaped and returned home to England. His family and friends were astonished when Patrick announced his decision to return to Ireland as a missioner.

March 18 - St. Cyril of Jerusalem
St. Cyril of Jerusalem was a bishop. When famine hit that city, he sold some of the Church's most prized possessions to care for those who were starving. Rich people were angry with him for this and drove him out of town. He endured many controversies and is remembered as wise and kind. He has been named a Doctor of the Church.

March 19 - St. Joseph
This is the memorial of St. Joseph, husband of Mary, and the man Jesus called "daddy." Joseph was a good father and husband. He was kind, steady, and protective. He was a carpenter and taught Jesus his trade, among other things. His influence on Jesus was inestimable and his life was a tribute to the value of simple, everyday human goodness.

March 20 - St. Cuthbert
St. Cuthbert was an English bishop and a great teacher and preacher. He believed that really holy living meant a life of service. He took good care of the poor and needy and had a special talent for encouraging people. He also had a great appreciation for animals and nature.

March 21 - St. Serapion
St. Serapion the Scholastic, the Bishop of Thmuis, wrote a "sacramentary," or collection of liturgical texts. Modern scholars did not discover it until the end of the 19th century. His writings have taught us a lot about early public worship in Egypt.

March 22 - St. Nicholas Owen
From 1559-1829, in England, Catholic were punished for practicing their faith. During his life, St. Nicholas Owen used his talents to build secret hiding places for priest throughout England. St. Nicholas is credited for saving the lives of many priests and laypersons. He was finally caught, arrested and killed in 1606.

Discovery of Vitamin C
Vitamin C was discovered, largely through the work of Albert Szent-Györgyi, a Hungarian-born American biochemist, and Charles King, an American chemist.