Scripture
An Introduction to the Sunday Scripture Readings - March 29, 2026
“He Emptied Himself, Taking On The Form Of A Slave”
As we approach the climax of our Lenten journey, we take time today to relive the entire Passion of Christ: His last supper
with His friends, His betrayal, arrest, suffering, and crucifixion. During these difficult times of suffering in our world, it is even more important that we read and reflect on the suffering of our Savior Jesus the Christ, given to us through the Word of God.
This Sunday begins the highpoint of our liturgical season as we begin our walk with Jesus on His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, then to His sorrowful passion and death and then, on Easter Sunday, His glorious resurrection. On this Palm Sunday, we begin our liturgy with a Gospel reading at the Procession (Matthew 21:1-11), as we process into the Church joyfully proclaiming "Hosanna to the Son of David", just as they did that Palm Sunday two thousand years ago. This is a different kind of King, coming in peace, humbly riding on the back of a donkey.
As we continue Mass with our first reading(Isaiah 50:4-7), we recall Isaiah's prophesy of the suffering servant, persecuted for His righteousness, and yet “he does not flinch.” This prophesy of the suffering servant is seen as a clear reference to Jesus, who will come in to the world centuries after this was written. “I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.”
Our Epistle reading (Philippians 2:6-11)emphasizes the humility of Jesus, obedient to the Father “to the point of death, even death on a cross.” “Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave,”
Our Gospel reading is the Passion of Our Lord according to Matthew (Mt 26:14-27:66). This account highlights Jesus' role in fulfilling God's promise to the Israelites so long ago. During the Passover supper with His disciples, Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist. “Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to His disciples said, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’"
May we not pass this opportunity to reflect deeply on this mystery of God's salvation gift to us — the creator God who “pitched His tent” and dwelt among us.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032926.cfm
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