HOMILY FOR THE MASS OF PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD, YEAR C
ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL, SYDNEY, 13 APRIL 2025
In the fourth century AD a young Spanish woman named Egeria made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. She recorded that on the Sunday before Easter the faithful gathered on the Mount of Olives and read the Gospel account of Christ’s entry. Then they accompanied the bishop in procession down the mountain and into Jerusalem. People of all classes participated, with even the smallest children carried on their parents’ shoulders, all waving branches. Egeria and others took the idea home and soon it was being imitated around the Christian world. Over time the ritual became more elaborate, including blessing of palm branches to take home as a sacramental, and reading the long Passion. It was a special day for the catechumens: the Creed was ‘traditioned’ or handed on to them today and they were given a week to learn it off by heart!
It was a special day also for a Frankish Bishop and theologian-poet, Theodulf of Orléans, from whom we have inherited eighty hymns. In 818 he was languishing in prison for supposedly plotting against Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious. As the Palm Sunday procession passed his window, he broke into inspired song, singing Gloria, laus et honor (All glory, praise and honour) which we sang in our procession today. Louis was so impressed he ordered Theodulf immediately released. Palms and psalms can be a powerful combination!
For as Jesus neared Jerusalem, the multitude of disciples waved palms and jubilantly sang the Sanctus: “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” The authorities told Him to check His disciples, but He responded that “If these were silent, the very stones would cry out” (Lk 19:28-40). We could begin Holy Week in sombre mood, mute penitence and dour expression: the solemn recitation of the Passion can do that to you! But first we must rejoice at what is being achieved this week. Anticipating the Mass which reprises Holy Week, we sing the Sanctus before offering the Sacrifice.
He’s no regular hero. Our royal bridegroom arrives not by carriage, palanquin or horseback. No limo: His is a second-hand Kia. “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!” cries Zechariah, “For behold, your king is coming, triumphant and victorious, yet humble and riding on a donkey.” (Zech 9:9)
For this is the king of the lowly, the anawim, the little ones, those trusting souls who hoped for the consolation of Israel, the nobodies beatified by Jesus: “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God” (Lk 6:20). Would it be best, then, to leave the poor in their poverty—as their passport to heaven?
No, Jesus never romanticises poverty. He directs our compassion toward the poor and tells us to raise them from poverty where we can, and so in Lent, especially, we give alms. But His call to every Christian, rich and poor alike, is to freedom from greed for wealth and mania for control. Possessions, we know, can possess us. But a sincere humility, Pope Francis notes, recognises that we are all “beggars before God” relying on Him in every moment.[1]
So, our King puts no trust in chariots or horses,”[2] arriving on an ass. He comes without army but a motley crew armed only with olive branches.[3] His royal banquet is a sacrificial meal; His throne a cross; His purple vesture, a cloak of mockery and then of bloodied bruised skin (Lk 22:14-23:56). Paul says Jesus assumed the condition of a slave so he might teach us in what true greatness consists (Phil 2:6-11; Lk 22:24-30). “Becoming as all men are, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross.” But God “raised him on high and gave him the name above all other names.” His hour has come. His exaltation begins. Come see it unfold in the Holy Week ahead.
Word after Holy Communion
And so, my friends, we have begun to walk with Christ from His triumphal entry into Jerusalem to His Last Supper, Crucifixion, Burial and Rising from the dead. My thanks to Dean Don Richardson, Seminary Rector Fr Michael de Stoop, along with Fr Dominic Nguyen, our MC, deacons and beloved seminarians serving. Thanks also to our choir who have a big job this week.
I invite you all to consider how you might make of this week something of a retreat. Take part in as much as you can of the cycle of services, especially the great ceremonies of the Sacred Triduum, but also the confessions, stations and divine offices offered throughout the week. The details can be found in the bulletin or on our website. I hope to see you there!
[1] Pope Francis, Audience address, 6 May 2020.
[2] Ps 20:7.
[3] Isa 9:6; Zech 9:10; Mt 26:52; Lk 2:14; Jn 14:27; 18:36; Eph 2:14,17.
