Gospel
Mark 11:1–10
Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord.
First reading
Isaiah 50:4–7
I did not cover my face against insult: I know I shall not be shamed.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 21(22):8–9, 17–20, 23–24
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Second reading
Philippians 2:6–11
Christ humbled himself but God raised him high.
Gospel acclamation
Philippians 2:8–9
Christ became obedient for us even to death, dying on the cross. Therefore God raised him on high and gave him a name above all other names.
Gospel
Mark 14:1–15:47
The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark
Images from the Word
- A tethered colt
- The Master needs it
- Hosanna
- A disciple’s tongue
- Death on a cross
Liturgical notes
At the Last Supper, Our Saviour instituted the Eucharistic Sacrifice of his Body and Blood, by which the Sacrifice of his Cross is perpetuated until he comes again; and till then he entrusts the memorial of his Death and Resurrection to his beloved spouse, the Church.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §2
At the Mass, we do not re-enact the historical events of Calvary, for they have passed into time. We do, however, celebrate the presence of the one who died and has risen. We have been entrusted with this sacred memory. During the eucharistic prayer, we acclaim, ‘When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.’ So our focus on Palm Sunday is not directly upon the historical events of the day, but upon the mystery of the one who gave his life so that we may live.
‘The children of the Hebrews, carrying olive branches, went to meet the Lord, crying out and saying: Hosanna in the highest’
—antiphon