Anthony van Dyck, (1617)[1]
Lent has introduced us little by little to the sufferings of Christ, but today, Palm Sunday, the liturgy slaps us on the face with the sorrows of our Lord during Holy Week, as we read the entire Passion of Matthew, chapters 26 and 27. It is a ‘concentrated shot’ of the Passion which can, however, be divided into “blocks”, that is, taking into account the main points.
Judas is set on his betrayal: “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on, he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. What was in Judas’ mind and heart all these days before bringing his treason to completion? Perhaps, after trying to imagine this picture, we can console our Lord and promise to be faithful to Him.
Christ is ready for his Pasch. He has planned it in advance: “My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.” Yes, He has planned it for all eternity. He was always ready, never more ready than now… In His divine providence, He has thought out every single detail, also the details of our lives… We can celebrate the Paschal Mystery in trust.
Two important announcements…? When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. Yes, Judas will hand him over to the Jews, but Christ wants to offer Himself his own body and blood. The real announcement is the Eucharist. His fidelity to the redemption plan contrasts Judas’ betrayal. How is our faithfulness to the Sunday and/or daily Eucharistic celebrations…? Our fidelity to the Eucharistic Lord…? Every Mass is a Calvary where His Passion is reenacted.
Hymn singing, and… Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. The agony begins. Christ sheds tears of blood, and the disciples cannot even pray for an hour. Sounds familiar…? Yes, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Will I commit to prayer after the example my Lord has given me…?
Ganging up on God…? Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd, with swords and clubs… It actually happened! “Friend, do what you have come for.” Ingratitude in exchange for real love! Is this the story of my own life…? Am I willing to amend for what I have done wrong…?
The Son of God is going to be condemned for blasphemy. Then the high priest said to him, “I order you to tell us under oath before the living God whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.” What an irony! “He deserves to die!” No, He does not deserve to die: He is willing to die… for me. Will I die to myself (self/denial), take up my cross and follow Him…?
Then Peter denied his Master. “I do not know the man.” And immediately a cock crowed. How many times have we been in this same predicament…? Holy Week is the time to confess Him as Lord.
Betrayal is not worth… “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood”, Judas said. Flinging the money into the temple, he departed and went off and hanged himself. Lord, save us from despair!
No love for truth, Pilate… “Then what shall I do with Jesus called Christ?”
They all said, “Let him be crucified!”… after he had Jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified. But Christ is ready to die!
Insults we hear even today… He saved others; he cannot save himself. So he is the king of Israel! Let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. God’s logic and God’s thoughts are not our thoughts. Am I grateful that Christ did not come down from the Cross…?
Even nature was distressed when Christ died… But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up his spirit. And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. Yes, truly, He was the Son of God. And the crucifixion of God is, at the same time, the most horrible spectacle, humanly speaking, and the most beneficial for us.
Dear brothers and sisters, let us live out the Passion of Christ this Holy Week. May Christ, who died for us, take us up with him on Easter Sunday. Let our entire lives be a spiritual resurrection from death and sin.
God bless you all,
Fr. Marcelo Javier Navarro Muñoz, IVE
Author: The Contribution of Cornelio Fabro to Fundamental Theology. Reason and Faith, Cambridge Scholars Publishing: https://www.cambridgescholars.com/product/978-1-5275-9315-2
Poesía Sacra, Quemar las Naves, and Desde Fossanova, IVE Press: https://ivepress.org/
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entry_of_Christ_into_Jerusalem_(van_Dyck), accessed 23 March 2026.
[Readings: Matthew 21:1-11; Isaiah 50:4-7; Philippians 2:6-11; Matthew 26:14—27:66]
