April 13, 2025 – Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

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Things to talk about:

• Who do you remember best or most identify with in the passion story? Why?
• Within a week of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the crowds turned against him. How do you think Jesus felt? Share a time when you’ve had a friend turn against you.
• This coming week is called Holy Week. Why is this the most significant week of the whole year?
• What does it mean to do something “in the name of the Lord”? This week, how can you show that you honor Jesus as the Christ and Son of God?
• Think about Jesus’ willingness to lay down his life for us. What meaning does that have for you?

Things to do:

• Red is the liturgical color for Palm Sunday. Where do you see red at Mass today?
• Make a palm cross. Check out this website for more elaborate options, https://www.mercyhome.org/blog/sunday-mass/how-to-weave-palms/
• Place palm branches behind all the crucifixes in your home.
• The Triduum – The summit of the Liturgical Year is the Easter Triduum—from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday. Though chronologically three days, they are liturgically one day unfolding for us the unity of Christ’s Paschal Mystery. Plan on attending as many of the Holy Day liturgies as you can. Click HERE for schedule.
• Holy Thursday – On this day, we recall the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, and the agony in the garden. 
• To recall the institution of the Eucharist, the Bread of Life, consider baking a loaf of bread as a family. It can be a favorite recipe, or you can make unleavened bread, . As part of the experience, have a family member read Exodus 12 about the first Passover meal. Recipe included. 
• Good Friday – On this day, we recall Jesus’ suffering and Death and venerate the Cross. 
• Have a meaningful and simple Good Friday lunch, read more here,
• Invite the family to turn off all devices between noon and 3 p.m., to recall the time that Jesus suffered on the Cross. Use the time to bake hot cross buns or, if the weather permits, to go outside and plant seeds, explaining how a seed must “die” if it is to give life. 
• Holy Saturday – On this day, we hold vigil and, in the evening, we welcome the light (fire) that dispels the darkness and proclaim “Alleluia!” and “Glory to God!” for the first time in 40 days to begin the celebration of the Resurrection. We celebrate new life in Baptism and renew our baptismal promises.
• Color Resurrection eggs, and explain how the egg is a symbol of the Resurrection (life emerging from the tomb). Decorate the eggs with religious symbols. 
• Make Resurrection rolls to eat on Easter morning
• Stations of the Cross
  Design and create your own Stations of the Cross. You can post them around your house or outside. Have family members draw different stations or print off coloring pages of them for everyone to color.
  Pray the stations using this guide:https://www.usccb.org/resources/Stations-of-the-Cross-for-Vocations.pdf

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Litany of the Way: Prayer for the Journey

As we enter into Holy Week remembering Jesus’ journey to the cross, we can see that everything he did revealed God’s unending love for us. Pray this litany together, reflecting on some of those instances from Scripture.

As Jesus sought the quiet of the desert, teach us to pray.

As Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, teach us to love.

As Jesus promised paradise to the thief on the cross, teach us to hope.

As Jesus called Peter to walk to him across the water, teach us to believe.

As the child Jesus sat among the elders in the temple, teach us to seek answers.

As Jesus in the garden opened his mind and heart to God’s will, teach us to listen.

As Jesus reflected on the Law and the prophets, teach us to learn.

As Jesus used parables to reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom, teach us to teach.

(Taken from Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers.)

Name those who need our prayers. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Catholic Insights

This Sunday, called Palm or Passion Sunday, is the first day of Holy Week. Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday are called the Triduum, three days that are the highlight of the Church year. There are two Gospels proclaimed at today’s Mass. Proclaimed before the procession with palms, the first Gospel, tells of Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. Riding on a borrowed colt, Jesus was hailed by the crowds as they shouted blessings and praise to God. This event is reported in each of the four Gospels.

Luke’s Gospel is the only one to report the exchange between Jesus and the Pharisees as Jesus enters Jerusalem. Jesus’ response shows that this event, and those yet to come, are part of a divine plan. Jesus is in total command of events at the Passover meal as he hands over the kingdom to his disciples. He announces that this will be his last until the Kingdom of God is fulfilled.  The disciples show little understanding of this kingdom that Jesus often announces. Following the meal, the disciples argue about who is the greatest. Jesus takes the opportunity to define leadership in the Kingdom of God from the forms of leadership seen in the world.

When Luke describes the Way of the Cross and Jesus’ crucifixion, he calls to our attention many events that are not reported in the other Gospels.

• Luke includes Jesus’ interactions with the women who accompanied Jesus. On the road to Calvary, Jesus speaks to the women who walk with him.
• Jesus’ words of forgiveness spoken from the cross.
• Luke reports the dialogue between Jesus and the good thief.
• Luke reports no words of abandonment spoken by Jesus on the cross. Instead, Jesus, in full command until his death, commends his spirit to his Father and takes his final breath.

Before we get to the happy ending, we have to take the time to think about what Jesus did for us. If Jesus had not died on the cross, he couldn’t have risen from the dead and we would not have eternal life through him. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who gave his life that we can have eternal life with him in heaven.

Did you know? …the Easter Tiduum is the most important days of our liturgical year? The services on Holy Thursday, Good riday and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, actually flow as one long, extended liturgy. These days highlight the last days of Jesus’ life on earth, his death and triumphant Resurrection.

Resources adapted from 52Sundays.com, Celebrating the Lectionary, At Home with the Word, Celebrating Families, Sunday Connection

 

This could be a good family Holy Week outing…