Vincentian Spirituality
Gospel Reading
March 29, 2026
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
Matthew 21:1-11 and 26:14-27:66
When Jesus and the disciples drew near Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tethered, and a colt with her Untie them and bring them here to me. And if anyone should say anything to you, reply,’ The Master has need of them.’” …The crowds preceding him kept crying out and saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.” After they had crucified him, they divided his garments by casting lots. The centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus feared greatly when they saw the earthquake and all that was happening, and they said, “Truly, this was the Son of God!”
Vincentian Reflection
From the high hosanna acclamation to the low of betrayal, denial, and abandonment the gospel take us up and down to the brink of life itself. Like the disciples, we also know who Jesus is. Every Sunday we make our profession of faith: “We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God…” This Palm Sunday we are invited to reflect on our own knowledge of who Jesus is and how well we confess him in our daily living. It is a daily choice to live the gospel’s requirement that we die to ourselves for the sake of others. This is how we confess Jesus as the Son of God. This is how, rather than denial and abandonment, we come to stand at the cross with Jesus. (Living Liturgy, p 88)
Vincentian Meditation
“The earth has grown cold. It is for us Catholics to revive the vital beat to restore it, it is for us to begin over again the great work of regeneration, if necessary to bring back the era of the martyrs. For to be a martyr is possible for every Christian, to be a martyr is to give his life for God and his brothers, to give his life in sacrifice, whether the sacrifice be consumed in an instant like a holocaust, or be accomplished slowly and smoke night and day like perfume on the altar. To be a martyr is to give back to heaven all that one has received: his money, his blood, his whole soul..” – Bl. Frederic Ozanam (Letter 90, to Curnier, 1835)
Consider
Indeed, the “Master has need of us” to rekindle the vital fire which has been extinguished in our world. What form has martyrdom taken for you or for those who are dear to you?
Prayer
Lord, give us the generosity of martyrs, so that we can give:
to an enemy, forgiveness
to an opponent, tolerance
to our family, love and respect
to all men and women, charity.
Amen