Gospel Passage
Matt. 21:1 And when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the
Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go into the village
opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tied, and a colt with her; untie
them and bring them to me. 3 If any one says anything to you, you shall say, `The
Lord has need of them,' and he will send them immediately." 4 This took place to
fulfil what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 "Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold,
your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on an donkey, and on a colt, the
foal of an donkey." 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7 they
brought the donkey and the colt, and put their garments on them, and he sat thereon.
8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road, and others cut branches from
the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and
that followed him shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in
the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" 10 And when he entered Jerusalem,
all the city was stirred, saying, "Who is this?" 11 And the crowds said, "This is the
prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee."

Questions for discussion -
1. This reading is from the first of two Gospels on Palm Sunday.
What do you think we call today Palm Sunday? Do you see any clues in the
reading?

2. The people in Jerusalem welcomed Jesus by shouting, “Blessed is he who
comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” When do say those
words during Mass?

used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Looking at the Symbols of the Passion of Jesus - Palm Sunday

We have been journeying
through this season of Lent coming
closer and closer to Good Friday and to
the most sacred times in our Church. We
begin Holy Week remembering the great
love Jesus had for us when He
surrendered His own life on the Cross. It is also a special time
to thank Jesus for this love and to do all that we can to get
closer to Him; therefore, we look at the spear that the soldiers
used to pierce the side of Jesus.
Saint John, in his gospel, tells us: “One of the soldiers
thrust a lance into Jesus’ side, and immediately blood and water
flowed out. . . . They shall look on Him whom they have
pierced.”
Suggested activity: Spend five minutes each day this
week in personal prayer and participate in the Holy Week
Services as a family.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Sunday Gospel Message - Palm Sunday of the LORD'S Passion

PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION
This is the week that we call “holy.” We look at the
great events of the last week of Jesus’ physical life upon earth.
All of these events tell us of His great love for us. “He
humbled Himself, becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on the cross.” Use this week to reflect upon Jesus’
great love for us. He gave Himself in the Eucharist and He died
on the cross for us.
This week celebrates the most beautiful liturgies of the
entire liturgical year. If, at all possible, attend the Holy Week
services. Some ceremonies are long, but they are most
significant and meaningful. The Easter Vigil, on Saturday, is most special for it is the highlight of the Lenten
Retreat. At that time, we will welcome into our community of
faith those individuals who have been part of the RCIA process
for months. Try to join in prayer during the Sacred Triduum,
Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Family Bible Study - Palm Sunday

Gospel Passage
Luke 19:28 After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29
When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of
Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and
as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and
bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The
Lord needs it.’” 32 So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told
them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you
untying the colt?” 34 They said, “The Lord needs it.” 35 Then they brought it to
Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 As he rode
along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was now
approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the
disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power
that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the
Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” 39 Some of the Pharisees in
the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” 40 He answered, “I
tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”

Questions for Discussion:

1. The people lined up on the sides of the road and shouted and waved
branches (like we wave flags for a parade). Why were they so happy to see
Jesus? What had He been doing for them?

2. The people in Jerusalem welcomed Jesus by shouting, “Blessed is he who
comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” Do we ever say those
words? What do they mean when we say them?

3. After all the cheering is done, we will then hear on Palm Sunday about
Jesus suffering and pain, His crucifixion on the cross and His death. Instead of
“Hosanna!”, the people will say “Crucify Him!” What are some ways that we can say "Hosanna!" to God, instead of saying "Crucify Him!"? (Hint: think of sin)
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry