April 4, 2004 - Passion Sunday

At the Procession with Palms

Gospel of the Palm Blessing: Blessed Is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord

The people acclaim Jesus, but during his trial, they will shout: "Crucify him!" Where do we stand?

Gospel of the Palm Blessing: Lk 19:28-40

Jesus proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.
As he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany
at the place called the Mount of Olives,
he sent two of his disciples.
He said, "Go into the village opposite you,
and as you enter it you will find a colt tethered
on which no one has ever sat.
Untie it and bring it here.
And if anyone should ask you,
'Why are you untying it?'
you will answer,
'The Master has need of it.'"
So those who had been sent went off
and found everything just as he had told them.
And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them,
"Why are you untying this colt?"
They answered,
"The Master has need of it."
So they brought it to Jesus,
threw their cloaks over the colt,
and helped Jesus to mount.
As he rode along,
the people were spreading their cloaks on the road;
and now as he was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives,
the whole multitude of his disciples
began to praise God aloud with joy
for all the mighty deeds they had seen.
They proclaimed:
"Blessed is the king who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven
and glory in the highest."
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him,
"Teacher, rebuke your disciples."
He said in reply,
"I tell you, if they keep silent,
the stones will cry out!"

A brief homily may now be given. Then the priest or a minister invites the people for the procession:

And now, with the disciples
and the people of Jerusalem,
we acclaim Jesus with joy as our Lord and Savior.
We follow him, waving our palm branches.

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