Jesus is our “example;” let us never lose sight of the eternal joy of “sharing in His Resurrection” when with Him we now “suffer on a cross” (Prayer).
In glorious language we read how the Son of God became the “slave” of man; how “He humbled himself” and is now our pledge “in the glory of God the Father” (Epistle). Even as Christ adhered to the Father, so must we despite the seeming “prosperity of the sinner” (Gradual).
The “long Gospel” enables us, as it were, to be eyewitnesses of Christ’s Passion and Death, revealing His Love “unto the end” on Calvary. At the end of the first Mass with the Passion having been said, there is no Last Gospel. If celebrated without the blessing of palms, the Gospel for the blessing is said as a Last Gospel. In Masses after the first a special short Gospel is read.
The liturgy of this Sunday is divided as follows:
- Blessing of Palms;
- Distribution of Palms to clergy and people;
- Reading of the Gospel account of Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem;
- Procession of clergy and people with blessed palms;
- Holy Mass
The restored Holy Week Ordo somewhat simplifies the Blessing of Palms and lays greater stress upon the Procession of Palms.
In the Instruction which accompanies its Decree, the Sacred Congregation of Rites says: "Since it is the intention of the restored Ordo of Holy Week that, with the venerable liturgical services of these days restored to the hours which are proper and opportune, these liturgical services may be attended more easily, more devoutly and more fruitfully by the faithful, it is highly important that this salutary intention be realised. Hence, this instruction, by which the faithful may be led more securely to serve richer fruits from a living participation in the sacred rites. The faithful are to urged to assist in greater numbers at the solemn Procession of Palms, in order that they may bear public testimony to their love and gratitude to Christ the Redeemer-King."
The prayers and songs of this Sunday's liturgy are filled with instruction for the mind and with inspiration for the heart andwill. Let us study them and voice our grateful loyalty to Jesus by participating in them.
Every part of this awe-inspiring Mass has a remembrance of Christ's Passion and pledge of His Resurrection and ours. In glorious language, the Epistle amazes us. It describes how the Son of God became the Slave of man and how "He humbled Himself."
The Long Gospel enables us, as it were, to be eye-witnesses of Christ's Passion and Death and reveals God's love "unto the end," to save us the cost of His Precious Blood. Joyfully greeting Jesus with Palms in the first part of today's liturgy, we salute His final victory over death her and in hell.
While the palms are a tribute of our waving joy, in the second part which is Holy Mass, they are also a symbol of our wavering fickleness as we betray Christ to His agony of Body and anguish of Soul.