Palm Sunday - Year C

God willing, we are about to begin the most important week for us Christians. Holy Week is the moment in which we unite ourselves with Christ in the institution of the Eucharist, in His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. This is the Lord’s Passover, which He allows us to take part in through the Paschal Mystery and the sacraments. Therefore, as Christians, our commitment to participate in these celebrations should be a sign of our Faith in Jesus and a testimony that He holds first place in our lives. This is a special moment of grace that God wants to give us freely, if we truly desire it and are ready to welcome it.

One of the best ways we can show God our desire to accompany Him in the mystery of Christ is through a well-prepared and sincere confession. A Christian who walks the journey of Faith with sincerity opens their heart to the grace of Forgiveness through the sacrament of reconciliation.

This is a moment in which, as a Christian community, we stop and gaze upon the cross of Jesus, which, as St George Preca used to call it, is the Great Book. Only it can teach us and give us what no book ever can: the teaching of Life. Besides this, the blessed olive branch that we will take home with us will mean little unless it is accompanied by our commitment to actively participate in the Easter Triduum—that is, to take part in the celebrations of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and above all, the Great Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night, when we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus from the dead.

Those who, without a serious reason, choose not to participate in these celebrations are encouraged to reflect sincerely on what it means for them to be Christian. How can someone who takes their faith seriously not make a genuine commitment to take part in these most precious moments of our faith?

Lord Jesus, as we lay ourselves at Your feet and meditate on Your Passion and harsh death on the cross, we wish to remain silent and contemplate how far the love of God for us has gone. Our minds cannot grasp the greatness of the love shown to us through such cruelty. Today we wish to let You speak to us—yes, let Your crucified image speak to us, inspire us, and give us life. Help us, Lord, to understand that true love is not comfort, it does not focus on what we will receive, but on what we will give—or rather, true love means giving ourselves, just as You gave Yourself for us.

Lord, in a world that has turned its gaze away from You and therefore no longer knows how to love, help us to be the ones who love where there is no love, with the same love with which You loved us. For we believe that wherever we sow Your love, there we will find love in abundance. Amen.