Today we gather to celebrate what is commonly called Palm Sunday, also known as Passion Sunday. I prefer to call it Passion Sunday because, for me, Passion Sunday captures more fully the profound mystery we enter into, not just a moment of triumph, but the beginning of a journey into suffering, sacrifice, and redeeming love.
The title “Palm Sunday” is not less important though, it points us to kingship and victory. It reminds us of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Riding humbly on a donkey, he was welcomed by crowds who spread palm branches before him and cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the Son of David!” In that moment, his royal dignity shone brightly. He is indeed King—not just any king, but the King of Kings.
And yet, the kingship of Jesus is unlike anything the world expects. He does not come with power, armies, or domination as we know them. Instead, he comes in humility. The same crowd that praised him would soon reject him. The same city that welcomed him would become the place of his suffering. And this is where the deeper meaning of Passion Sunday reveals itself.
Jesus, our King, chose the path of humiliation. He allowed himself to be misunderstood, rejected, mocked, and ultimately crucified. He was stripped not only of his garments, but of all visible signs of dignity. He was treated as less than human. So complete was his humiliation that even his divine glory seemed hidden from ordinary eyes.
This hiddenness is symbolized in a powerful way in our churches during this sacred time, when images are veiled. The veiling reminds us that the glory of Christ is not absent but concealed. In the suffering and disfigurement of the cross, his divinity is not erased, but hidden beneath the weight of human sin and pain.
In the second reading, Saint Paul expresses this mystery beautifully: Christ “emptied himself, taking the form of a slave.” He who is Lord became servant. He who is free chose to enter into the condition of those enslaved. And why? To save us.
Jesus took upon himself our bondage to sin so that we might share in his freedom. He carried our burdens to the cross and nailed them there. He embraced death so that we might receive life—life not in scarcity, but in abundance.
As we enter this Holy Week, we are invited not merely to observe these events from a distance, but to enter into them personally. This is the week in which the mystery of our salvation unfolds before us. It is the week in which love is tested, suffering is embraced, and victory is won—not through force, but through self-giving.
At first glance, the events of this week may seem dark and tragic. Betrayal, suffering, and death dominate the story. And yet, the Church calls it Holy Week. Why? Because in these very events, the holiness and love of God shine most powerfully. It is here that sin is defeated. It is here that the darkness of the world meets its conqueror.
Even though sin and darkness still exist around us, they no longer have the final word. Through his Passion, death, and resurrection, Christ has given us power over sin and hope in the face of every darkness.
So this week is not only about remembering what Jesus did—it is about responding to what he has done for us. It is an invitation to deeper gratitude, deeper conversion, and deeper love.
May this Holy Week be for each one of us a time of grace. May it open our hearts to see more clearly the depth of Christ’s love. And may our appreciation for his sacrifice lead us to follow him more faithfully—through suffering, through sacrifice, and ultimately, into the joy of new life.