APR 13, 2025
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Passover is celebrated on the 15th to the 22nd day of the Hebrew month of Nissan. Since the Jewish calendar is a lunar calendar, the date of Passover will vary from one year to another. In 2025 Passover will be celebrated from April 12th until April 20th. Determining the chronology of the last week of Jesus is complicated, but scholars have tentatively dated the death of Jesus as Friday, April 7, 30 AD.
Look at this coin. There are palm branches on both sides of the coin. In fact palm fronds appear on coins minted in Israel from 140 BC until 70AD, and they also bear the inscription “for the liberation of Israel.”. This is a quarter-shekel coin that comes from the time of the Jewish War which raged between 66 and 70 AD.
The Jews rose up in rebellion, under the leadership of Judas the Maccabee. The word Maccabee means hammer – and that’s what Judas did, he hammered the enemies of the Jewish people between 166 and 164 BC. Judas drove all the Seleucids out of the area around Jerusalem.
On the Friday of this week Jesus will be lifted up on the cross. His victorious death on the cross will set us free from the powers of sin and death. Von Balthasar again: “Through the Cross, and only through the Cross, the gates of the kingdom will be opened. Only through the Cross will the sharp swords in the hearts of men and women be beaten into ploughshares, and the wickedly designed spears of their plans and ambitions be made into pruning hooks in the service of a fruitful harvest.
In Luke’s Gospel alone, only one of those crucified alongside Jesus derides him: “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.”. The other criminal, however, says, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.”. He then turns to Jesus and says: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom”. In Luke’s Gospel the very last words that Jesus speaks to another human being before he dies are addressed to this outsider dying alongside him: “This day you will be with me in paradise.”
Fr. Geoffrey Plant
Palm Sunday C
SOURCE: Fr. Geoffrey Plant
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TIMESTAMPS
Passion Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, commemorating Jesus’ humble entry into Jerusalem as a symbol of liberation and the fulfillment of his mission to conquer sin and death through his crucifixion.
- 00:00 Passion Sunday begins Holy Week, celebrating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem before his resurrection on Easter.
- Passion Sunday marks the start of Holy Week, commemorating Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem and leading to his resurrection on Easter Sunday.
- Passover, a key pilgrimage festival for Israelites, is celebrated from the 15th to the 22nd of Nissan, with its date varying annually, and in 30 AD, Palm Sunday occurred on April 2, leading to Jesus’ ascent to Jerusalem before his death on April 7.
- 03:29 Jesus and his disciples made a significant ascent from Jericho to Jerusalem, symbolizing his journey towards self-offering on the Cross.
- 05:41 Palm Sunday highlights the significance of palm branches as symbols of liberation and the historical struggles of the Jewish people.
- On Palm Sunday, while the gospels describe the crowd spreading garments and branches on the road for Jesus, only John’s account highlights the significance of palm branches, suggesting a deeper meaning.
- Palm branches symbolize liberation and historical dominance over the Jewish people, reflecting their struggles from the Assyrians to the time of Jesus.
- 09:19 Judah’s resistance to Babylon led to destruction and exile, paving the way for oppressive rule under Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who violently suppressed Jewish culture and faith.
- Judah’s resistance to Babylon led to its destruction and exile, but after the Persians and later the Romans took control, four empires emerged from the rivalry among Alexander the Great’s generals.
- Ptolemy’s mild rule over Palestine ended in 198 BC when Antiochus III of the Seleucid dynasty took control, leading to increased difficulties for the Jews under Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who promoted Greek culture and customs.
- Antiochus Epiphanes, after failing to conquer Egypt, brutally attacked Jerusalem, plundering the temple and massacring citizens in an effort to suppress Jewish devotion to their laws.
- 14:10 The Jewish rebellion led to Hanukkah and the use of palm branches as symbols of victory, while first-century Jews sought a messiah to free them from Roman oppression.
- The Jewish rebellion led by Judas Maccabee against Seleucid oppression resulted in the rededication of the Temple in 164 BC, celebrated as Hanukkah, and established palm branches as symbols of victory and liberation for Israel.
- In the first century BC, Jews under Roman rule yearned for a messiah to liberate them from unrighteous rulers and cleanse Jerusalem of gentiles, as reflected in the Psalms of Solomon.
- 17:51 Jesus enters Jerusalem humbly as a king, fulfilling the crowd’s hopes for liberation while ultimately achieving victory over sin and death through his crucifixion.
- The crowd welcomes Jesus as a king, hoping for liberation from Roman rule, while he approaches Jerusalem humbly, aware of their expectations.
- Jesus, riding on a young colt, embodies a humble kingship that contrasts with worldly power, establishing a kingdom for the poor and marginalized through rejection, death, and resurrection.
- Jesus’ victory through his crucifixion will liberate humanity from sin and death, transforming weapons of violence into tools for peace and productivity.
- 23:04 Jesus’ Passion highlights God’s grace for non-Jews, as seen in Luke’s narrative, which angers the people of Nazareth.
- The Passion narrative is consistent among the four evangelists, but Luke emphasizes Jesus’ return to Nazareth to highlight God’s grace towards non-Jews.
- God shows grace to non-Jews, as illustrated by Elijah helping a Gentile widow and Elisha healing a Syrian leper, which angers the townsfolk of Nazareth.
- 26:19 Jesus’ crucifixion between two criminals illustrates God’s hospitality and the promise of salvation through faith, as one acknowledges his guilt and receives the assurance of paradise.
- Jesus embodies God’s hospitality by welcoming outsiders, as seen in his crucifixion between two others, highlighting the contrast between his acceptance and the complaints of the religious leaders.
- The term λῃστής in the New Testament refers to violent robbers or insurrectionists, while Luke uses the word κακοῦργος to describe the individuals crucified with Jesus.
- The term κακοῦργος refers to individuals guilty of serious wrongdoing or criminal activities, emphasizing their deserving of punishment.
- In Luke’s Gospel, one criminal acknowledges his guilt and expresses faith in Jesus, leading to Jesus’ promise of paradise, highlighting that true salvation is about being with Him on the journey to the Father.
Study, Pray,
Serve
Fr. Andrew Ricci, ordained in 1997, is a priest for the Diocese of Superior. He is the Rector of the Cathedral of Christ the King.
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Focuses on details relevant to explaining and defending the Catholic faith.
Fr. Andrew Ricci
Palm Sunday C
1st Reading – Isaiah 50:4-7
- Called by God, the prophet speaks the truth in the face of oppression.
- God gives strength to face all trials and remain true in faith.
Psalm – 22:8-9,17-20,23-24
- “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
- Grab your Bible and read this entire Psalm…then look at the Cross of Jesus Christ!
2nd Reading – Philippians 2:6-11
- Jesus “empties himself” and takes on our human form, even facing death on a cross.
- God glorifies Christ for his saving work, and every knee shall bend as all will acclaim Jesus Christ is Lord!
Gospel – Luke 22:14-23:56
- This is our great love story; Christ dies for us…even in our worst sins.
- Read this passage. Pray and reflect on what the Lord has done.
- If you find it helpful, watch one of the many films which proclaim the Passion of the Lord.
SOURCE: Study, Pray, Serve