'Jesus walks before us and towards the heights.' Sunday Reflections, Palm Sunday, Year C

Christ's Entry into Jerusalem

Giotto di Bondone [Web Gallery of Art]

And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road (Luke 19:36). 

Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland)

The gospel for the procession with palms is included here as is the Passion according to St Luke arranged for reading by  N. Narrator. ✠ Jesus. O. Other single speaker. C. Crowd, or more than one speaker.

Readings (English Standard Version, Catholic Edition: England & Wales, India, Scotland) 

The gospel for the procession with palms is included here as is the Passion according to St Luke arranged for reading by  N. Narrator. ✠ Jesus. O. Other single speaker. C. Crowd, or more than one speaker.

Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)

The gospel for the procession with palms is included here as is

the shorter form of the Passion according to St Luke, Luke 23:1-49.

Gospel for procession of Palms Luke 19:28-40 (English Standard Version Anglicised: India)  

When Jesus had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

Léachtaí i nGaeilge

Saint Longinus 

Bernini [Web Gallery of Art]

Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, ‘Certainly this man was innocent!' (Luke 23:47; Gospel).

A very ancient tradition in the Church identifies St Longinus as the centurion who uttered those words.

Pope Benedict on Palm Sunday

Up to 2020 in years when World Youth Day wasn't celebrated overseas it was observed in Rome and in many other dioceses on Palm Sunday. Now such celebrations are observed on the Solemnity of Christ the King. However, this year it will take place in Rome from 25 July to August 3 as the Jubilee of Young People.  Here are extracts from Pope Benedict's homily on Palm Sunday 2010 in Rome, emphases added.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Dear Young People,

The Gospel of the blessing of the palms that we have heard gathered here in St Peter's Square, begins with the sentence: '[Jesus] went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem' (Lk 19: 28). At the very beginning of today's Liturgy, the Church anticipates her response to the Gospel saying: 'Let us follow the Lord'. This clearly expresses the theme of Palm Sunday. It is the sequela (consequence). Being Christian means considering the way of Jesus Christ as the right way for being human as that way which leads to our destination, to a completely fulfilled and authentic humanity. In a special way I would like to repeat to all young people on this 25th World Youth Day that being Christian is a path or, better, a pilgrimage; it is to travel with Jesus Christ, to journey in the direction he has pointed out and is pointing out to us.

Continue at Bangor to Bobbio.