Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion 

NO BASIS

Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” – Luke 23:4

I can’t remember how many times my heart whispered, “I find no basis for a charge against Jesus,” yet I keep accusing Him.

When I’m tired from working all day and have to run after a bus for a ride home, I would sometimes cry, “Jesus, do You enjoy watching me struggle every single day?”

I find no basis for a charge against this man.

When things didn’t go my way, I’d scream to Jesus, “This is too much. You are too much!”

I find no basis for a charge against this man.

When I prayed hard for something yet God remained silent, I’d play the victim game, “I’ve been serving You for almost half of my life, is it too hard for You to help me now?”

I find no basis for a charge against this man.

Good thing, Jesus never retorts to any of my tantrums. After my emotions subside, I would hear Him tell me, “I love you. Always.” With everything He’s done for me, I know that the Man on the cross means every word. Perhaps the only thing Jesus is guilty of is loving us completely with no conditions, no bounds. Maymay Salvosa (c.salvosa@shepherdsvoice.com.ph)

Reflect: Among the characters in today’s Gospel, whom can you identify with? Why?

Jesus, sorry for hurting You with my thoughts, words, and actions. Thank You for saving me. Teach me to show how much I love You too.

Blessed Peter Gonzalez, pray for us.

Jesus is presented as the Suffering Servant in four different places of Isaiah’s prophecies. As we reflect on these prophecies, may we understand more fully the heart and mind of God regarding the Messiah and His role in the work of salvation. May we also know God’s deep love for us.

Isaiah 50:4-7

4 The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; 5 and I have not rebelled, have not turned back. 6 I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. 7 The Lord God is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24

R: My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

8 All who see me scoff at me; they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads: 9 “He relied on the Lord; let him deliver him, let him rescue him, if he loves him.” (R) 17 Indeed, many dogs surround me, a pack of evildoers closes in upon me; they have pierced my hands and my feet; 18 I can count all my bones. (R) 19 They divide my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots. 20 But you, O Lord, be not far from me; O my help, hasten to aid me. (R) 23 I will proclaim your name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise you: 24 “You who fear the Lord, praise him; all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to him; revere him, all you descendants of Israel! (R)

2nd READING

Paul reflects on the fact that Jesus does not insist on being treated as God. Instead, Jesus is willing to suffer and die for our sake. This is love at its best—the willingness to give one’s life for another. Like Jesus, are we willing to give our life for the sake of others? Are we willing to go this far and follow Jesus as His disciple?

Philippians 2:6-11

6 Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. 7 Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, 8 he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. 9 Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

GOSPEL

Let us reflect on the Passion of Jesus and enter more deeply into His mind and heart as He gives His life for us. It is an unusual theme to reflect upon— someone going to a horrible death for the sake of humanity.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name.

Luke 23:1-49 (or Luke 22:14–23:56)

1 The elders of the people, chief priests and scribes, arose and brought Jesus before Pilate. 2 They brought charges against him, saying, “We found this man misleading our people; he opposes the payment of taxes to Caesar and maintains that he is the Christ, a king.” 3 Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He said to him in reply, “You say so.” 4 Pilate then addressed the chief priests and the crowds, “I find this man not guilty.” 5 But they were adamant and said, He is inciting the people with his teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to here.” 6 On hearing this Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean; 7 and upon learning that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod who was in Jerusalem at that time. 8 Herod was very glad to see Jesus; he had been wanting to see him for a long time, for he had heard about him and had been hoping to see him perform some sign. 9 He questioned him at length, but he gave him no answer. 10 The chief priests and scribes, meanwhile, stood by accusing him harshly. 11 Herod and his soldiers treated him contemptuously and mocked him, and after clothing him in resplendent garb, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 Herod and Pilate became friends that very day, even though they had been enemies formerly. 13 Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the people 14 and said to them, “You brought this man to me and accused him of inciting the people to revolt. I have conducted my investigation in your presence and have not found this man guilty of the charges you have brought against him, 15 nor did Herod, for he sent him back to us. So no capital crime has been committed by him. 16 Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.” 17-18 But all together they shouted out, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us.” 19 — Now Barabbas had been imprisoned for a rebellion that had taken place in the city and for murder. — 20 Again Pilate addressed them, still wishing to release Jesus, 21 but they continued their shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” 22 Pilate addressed them a third time, “What evil has this man done? I found him guilty of no capital crime. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.” 23 With loud shouts, however, they persisted in calling for his crucifixion, and their voices prevailed. 22 The verdict of Pilate was that their demand should be granted. 25 So he released the man who had been imprisoned for rebellion and murder, for whom they asked, and he handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they wished. 26 As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. 28 Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, 29 for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.’ 30 At that time people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall upon us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ 31 for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?” 32 Now two others, both criminals, were led away with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” They divided his garments by casting lots. 35 The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” 36 Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine 37 they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.” 39 Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” 40 The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? 41 And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” 44 It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon 45 because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. 46 Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit,” and when he had said this he breathed his last. 47 The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said, “This man was innocent beyond doubt.” 48 When all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts; 49 but all his acquaintances stood at a distance, including the women who had followed him from Galilee and saw these events.

think: How do you feel when you reflect on Jesus’ dying on the cross for you? How much have you sacrificed to follow Jesus?

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T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST 

Read the Bible in one year - Leviticus 7-9   

SHOUTS OF PRAISE TO GOD

I am neither fond of hearing praises nor desire praises for myself. Why? First, because I know that what I do or possess is a gift from God. Second, some people will praise others out of emotions and without any firm grasp of what they are doing. This may seem a judgment on their goodness, but we should not get used to praises lest we become self-entitled or feel superior to others.

The people praised Jesus to high heavens when He entered Jerusalem because they wanted Him to liberate them and build a Kingdom. But all their shouts of praise for Him turned into cries of condemnation when most of them sided with those against Jesus. They did not see the heart of His mission. They expected a triumphant king who would destroy their captors. They expected Jesus to be a worldly ruler. They wanted a “fighter” but instead got a merciful and compassionate one. Jesus was the opposite of the leader the people waited for. Thus, their “hosannas” became “Crucify Him!”

Don’t we also see things in the same way? We have our own expectations about God. When these are not met, we turn our backs on Him. We want Him to do things for us according to how we want them to happen. But God has His way of doing things for our good. He does not deserve our condemnation.

As we begin the Holy Week, let us look at God’s goodness, mercy, and love. That is what we must shout from our hearts! Fr. Joel Victorino

------- REFLECTION QUESTIONS -------

What “shouts” do you normally give to God? Why?

Praise You, Lord Jesus, for Your goodness, mercy, and love. Amen.

Today, I pray for: _____________________________