8/14/2019 Commentary on Palm Sunday
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The first part comprises of a short introduction by the priest,
the blessing of palms, the
proclamation of the Gospel of the Lords triumphant entry into
Jerusalem, a brief
homily and then culminates in the solemn procession
As we begin the first part of our celebration, let us be
reminded of the spiritual depth of
this liturgy which offers a complete theological vision of the
mystery of Christ; not only
a mystery of death, but also a mystery of life conquering death.
We look forward to the
climax of the mystery, the beatific vision of the triumphant
Christ.
BEFORE THE BLESSING OF THE PALMS
Today, red vestments are used in all masses, in the Divine
Office and for the Blessing
and Procession of Palms. Notably, palms are very significant in
todays celebration as
they were in Christs time. It symbolizes joy and celebration.
Its upright form suggests
justice, dignity, respect, nobility and homage. Its use is also
traceable to the Feast of
Tabernacles (Lev. 27:40) and even in Rev. 7:9, where it is an
emblem of martyrdom.Palms are also symbols of peace and
reconciliation as well as sobriety. We pray to
partake in the reconciliation of humankind to God heralded by
Christ on the cross, and
in his paschal victory. May we now raise our palms as we invite
the chief celebrant for
his blessing.
AFTER THE BLESSING OF THE PALMS
The palms have been blessed not just to be carried in
procession, but also to be devoutly
kept in our homes to always remind us of Christs victory
celebrated by todaysprocession.
Let us now listen to the Markan account of Christs triumphal
entry into Jerusalem, and
the brief homily which may follow afterwards.
AFTER THE HOMILY; BEFORE THE PROCESSION
This brings us to the peak of the first part. This procession is
not simply a
commemoration of Christs historic entry into Jerusalem, nor
merely a triumphantmarch, but most importantly, Christs journey
together with his people to Calvary, to
his sacrifice and to his great act of Redemption. For the
procession, the celebrant may
wear a chasuble or a cope. The procession is led by a Thurifer
carrying a lighted censer,
followed by the Cross Bearer flanked by two ministers with
lighted candles, and lastly
the lay faithful. All participate, singing and waving branches
of the palm tree or other
trees in their hands. Above all, we are invited to deforest our
heart and spread it out
before our triumphal messiah so he may enter and take
possession.
PART TWO: THE MASS
8/14/2019 Commentary on Palm Sunday
3/3
With that over, we come to the second part of todays
celebration: the Mass. The priest
on reaching the altar venerates it and may also incense it. He
goes to his seat, takes off
the cope and puts on the chasuble. He begins with the collect
and the mass continues as
usual.
FIRST READING: (ISAIAH 50:4-7)
In this reading from the Deutero-Isaiah, the Lord opens our ear
to his message, and our
hearts in perfect resignation to his will comforted by the
tribulations and persecutions
which assail us.
SECOND READING: (PHIL. 2:6-11)
This is the Pauline eulogistic prcis of the paradoxical
servant-God, a model for all,
whose death is the hope of every Christian pilgrim.
THE PASSION NARRATIVE: (MARK 14:1-15:47)
The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St Marks
Gospel will be rendered by
three people without candles or incense or the usual greeting
and signing of the book.
The passion narrative vividly captures mans ingratitude,
infidelity, apostasy,
dubiousness and wickedness, as concretized in Christs tragic
betrayal, arrest, denial,
trails, rejection, condemnation, agony and crucifixion by the
same people who just a
while ago were chanting in a frenzy: Hosanna Filio David!
Verbum Domini is said at the end of the reading, but the book is
not kissed. The
priest will give his homily after that.
AFTER THE PASSION
As we reflect on the sorrowful mysteries of our lord, may we
quietly sit down and listen
to the homily, after which the usual sequence of mass for
Sundays will then follow.
AFTER COMMUNION
We are almost rounding up this celebration. At this juncture, it
is pertinent to call to
mind that our participation in the liturgy is not just a
re-enactment of past events but a
celebration of the omni-present spiritual efficacy of the
Paschal Mystery, an enduring
source of value for our sanctification. We thank god for making
this possible for us in
the Church. Meanwhile, Lent continues till Maundy Thursday. We
now invite the Chief
Celebrant for he post-communion prayer.
