Palm Sunday
Walking with Jesus Through the Cross
29 March 2026
There is a strange tension in today’s liturgy. We begin outside the church, waving palm branches and singing “Hosanna!” We reenact the triumphant entry into Jerusalem, bringing a feeling of joy and victory. However, as we process inside, everything changes. We hear the Passion narrative, filled with betrayal, denial, suffering, and the cross. In just a few minutes, we shift from celebration to agony.
This tension reflects the reality of what it means to follow Jesus. The crowd on that first Palm Sunday had specific expectations. They wanted a political Messiah, a warrior king who would crush their oppressors and restore Israel’s earthly glory. When Jesus rode in on a donkey — humble, peaceful, and unarmed — they cheered, perhaps hoping he would soon seize power. But by Friday, when it became evident that Jesus had come for a different kind of kingdom, most of them turned away. Their cry of “Hosanna” quickly shifted to “Crucify him.”
We might be tempted to judge that crowd, but the liturgy invites us to see ourselves in them. How often do we desire a Jesus who aligns with our plans and expectations? We seek blessings, comfort, and solutions to our problems. We wave our palms when life is good and God feels near. Yet, when the path becomes difficult — when following Christ demands sacrifice, requires forgiveness that costs us, or involves carrying a cross we didn’t choose — our shouts of praise quickly fade.
The disciples exemplify this pattern. At the Last Supper, they argued about who was the greatest. Peter vowed that he would never abandon Jesus, only to deny even knowing him. Judas spent three years alongside Jesus and ultimately betrayed him with a kiss. They were not bad men; they were weak men. And so are we.
This week, we are invited to be present:
- On Holy Thursday, to watch with Him in the garden, even if just for one hour.
- On Good Friday, to stand at the foot of the cross and acknowledge the cost of our salvation.
- On Holy Saturday, to sit in the silence of the tomb, waiting with hope.
We know how the story ends. We know Easter is coming. But we cannot arrive at the Resurrection without first passing through the cross. So, as we hold these palms today, let us make a commitment. Let us not be fair-weather disciples. Let us not be satisfied with waving branches on Sunday and disappearing by Thursday. Let us walk with Jesus this week and throughout all time, whether life is good or we face challenges.
May you have a blessed and grace-filled Holy Week.