Daily Gospel Reflection for April 10, 2022: Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

When I was a little girl, Palm Sunday meant the waving of a palm, a special dinner, and a lengthy Gospel passage that caused my knees to buckle as I stood for the 20-minute proclamation of the sacred Scripture. At that time, I wondered why we were hearing about the Last Supper, the Agony of the Garden, and the Crucifixion before those events would play out during Holy Week. Weren’t we getting ahead of ourselves?

With the passage of time, I understood the importance of the Palm Sunday reading. I needed to be prepared for the remembrance of the key events in the Passion. I had to ready my heart for the heartbreak to come.

When Jesus says, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not My will but Yours be done,” I am convicted. It was my sinfulness that drove Christ to the Cross. Through His death, He opened up the gates of heaven for me. It is a debt I realize I can never repay.

But I can journey with Him on Palm Sunday. I can be another Simon of Cyrene, helping to carry the Cross. I can emulate Mary, His mother, a companion on the Via Dolorosa, the Way of Sorrows. I can join my heart to His in an act of love.

When Jesus cries out “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit,” I can unite my will to His. I know that Easter Sunday is not possible without Good Friday.

There is great power in the Passion, immense strength in Jesus’ suffering. While some onlookers might have dismissed His pain as useless, I understand it as the bridge to the Resurrection. The depth of His suffering shows the abundance of His love—for all of us.

Ponder:

How can I help Jesus carry the Cross this week?

Pray:

My dearest Jesus, I thank You with all my heart for Your sacrifice. Please strengthen me so that I can carry my crosses with love.

Click to tweet: When Jesus cries out “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit,” I can unite my will to His. I know that Easter Sunday is not possible without Good Friday. #dailygospel

Daily Gospel 4