Palm Sunday Year A | Homily for 29th March 2026 I Palm Sunday Homily year A

Isaiah 50:4-7; Philippians 2:6-11; Matthew 26:14—27:66

My dear friends, today we celebrate Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. Palm Sunday

places before us a striking contrast — joyful procession and painful Passion, loud

“Hosannas” and the heavy silence of betrayal. As we listen to today’s readings, we are invited

to walk closely with Jesus on the path of humble obedience and faithful love.

Today’s first reading comes from the Servant Songs of Second Isaiah, written during Israel’s

exile in Babylon. The people were tired, discouraged, and burdened by suffering. In this

setting, the prophet speaks of the Servant of the Lord — one who listens closely to God,

speaks words of hope, and remains faithful even when obedience leads to pain. For

Christians, this Servant clearly points to Jesus. The Servant begins by saying that God has

given him “the tongue of a teacher,” so that he may sustain the weary with a word. This tells

us that his words are not self-made; they come from listening. His strength is rooted in

prayerful attention to God. True service always begins with listening. The passage then turns

to suffering. The Servant is beaten, insulted, and humiliated, yet he does not resist or turn

away. What keeps him steady is his deep trust: “The Lord God helps me.” He knows that

even if people reject him, God will not abandon him.

On Palm Sunday, this reading helps us look beyond the joyful procession. Even though

crowds wave palms and shout “Hosanna”, Jesus knows that the road ahead leads to the cross.

Like the Servant, he does not turn back. He walks forward in obedience, trusting the Father

completely. This passage challenges us to examine our own discipleship. Many of us come

tired, discouraged, and carrying silent burdens. Do we listen to God daily, especially in

silence? Do our words heal or harm the weary around us? And when faith becomes costly, do

we trust God enough to remain faithful? Palm Sunday reminds us that true kingship is not

about applause or power. It is about humble obedience, quiet courage, and trusting God —

even when the path leads through suffering.

The second reading, taken from St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, is one of the earliest

Christian hymns. St. Paul includes it to remind the community how followers of Jesus are

called to live. The hymn describes not just who Jesus is, but the path he freely chose. Though

Jesus was in the form of God, he did not cling to power or status. Instead, he emptied himself.

He became human, taking the role of a servant. This shows us the heart of God: not

domination, but self-giving love. God does not come close to us by force, but through

humility. Jesus’ humility goes even deeper. He becomes obedient unto death — even death on

a cross. The cross was a sign of shame and rejection, yet Jesus accepted it out of love and

trust in the Father. His obedience was not weakness; it was courage rooted in love. Because

of this, God highly exalted him. The name of Jesus is lifted up so that every knee may bend

and every tongue proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord. This hymn invites us to examine our

own way of living. We often hold on to status, recognition, or control. Jesus shows another

way — the way of self-emptying and service. Christian life is not about climbing higher, but

about bending lower in love. As we reflect on this passage, we are reminded that humility is

not losing ourselves, but finding our true dignity in God. When we choose love, service, and

obedience, we share in both the cross and the glory of Christ.

“I never expected it from them” — don’t these words sound familiar? At some stage in life,

we all have experienced betrayal, and more often than not it is by someone close to us. What

hurts most is not the betrayal itself, but the memories — shared meals, laughter, and trust.

Betrayal always hurts more when it comes from someone close. That is the pain we step into

as we listen to the Passion narrative on Palm Sunday. The same city that welcomes Jesus with 

palms will soon shout for his death. At the heart of this story is betrayal — not by strangers,

but by friends. Judas is one of the Twelve. He knows Jesus personally. He has heard his

teachings and seen his compassion. Yet he chooses to hand Jesus over for thirty pieces of

silver. His betrayal is not loud or violent. It begins quietly, with a decision made in the heart.

This reminds us that betrayal often starts small — when love grows cold and self-interest

takes over. During the Last Supper, Jesus knows what Judas is about to do. Still, he shares

bread with him. Still, he washes feet. Jesus does not push Judas away. He gives him every

chance to turn back. Later, in the garden of Gethsemane, Judas arrives with soldiers and

identifies Jesus with a kiss — a sign meant for affection and loyalty. In that painful moment,

Jesus says something shocking: “Friend.” Jesus calls Judas friend even as he is being

betrayed. This is not weakness. It is divine love. Jesus refuses to let betrayal define the

relationship. He does not respond with anger or revenge, but with truth and dignity. His love

remains open, even when it is rejected. However, we must not focus only on Judas. The

tragedy of the Passion is not only Judas’ betrayal, but also Peter’s denial, the disciples

running away, and the crowd choosing Barabbas. Everyone fails in some way. Yet Jesus

remains faithful — silent before his accusers, obedient to the Father, and loving to the very

end.

On Palm Sunday, we are invited to see ourselves in this story. At times, we too betray Jesus

— not always with dramatic acts, but through compromise, fear, or indifference. Yet the

Passion reminds us that Jesus still calls us friend. His love does not end at our failures. The

question is whether we will turn back to him with repentance and trust, or walk away in

despair. Palm Sunday begins with palms in our hands and ends with the cross before our eyes.

Between the two stands a Savior who loves even when betrayed — and calls sinners his

friends. Palm Sunday asks us a serious question: will we only wave palms, or will we follow

Jesus to the cross? This Holy Week, choose one concrete act of faithfulness—return to

confession, forgive someone you have avoided, or stay in prayer when it becomes

uncomfortable. Do not let betrayal, failure, or fear have the last word — let love and

obedience lead you to the joy of the Resurrection. May God bless us all.