Things to talk about:

• Which character of this Gospel makes an impression on you?
• After listening to the two Gospels proclaimed on Palm Sunday, what did you hear that was new to you?
• Jesus died on the cross for you. How does that make you feel about Jesus?
• Each year, we hear the story of Jesus’ passion, we are older and filled with new experiences that enable us to hear the Gospel in a new way. This year, what part of the story struck you most?

Things to do:

• Random Acts of Kindness – Palm Sunday can be a heavy day as we hear about Jesus dying on the cross, but Pope Francis reminded us that we need to remember this essential message: “Jesus Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you; and now he is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen and free you.”  (Joy of the Gospel, 164) Make time to share that love with others by doing acts of kindness!  Do something for someone else to make them smile or brighten their day. Do them at home or in your neighborhood. Get as creative as you want!  Here are some ideas to consider:
• Let someone go before you in line.
• Pick up litter.
• Offer to carry people’s groceries or return their cart for them when grocery shopping.
• Leave money at a vending machine for someone to buy a treat.
• Do a chore or task for someone in your family (even if it is one you don’t like).
• Pay for someone else’s order at a restaurant/coffee shop or leave a generous tip.
• Help a neighbor with their yard work.
• Give compliments when you’re talking to someone.
• Write a note of affirmation to a friend or family member and mail it to them.
• Take some treats to the nurses at the hospital.
• Make a thank you note (and maybe some treats) for your mail carrier.
• Make a palm cross.
• Place palm branches behind all the crucifixes in your home.
• Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil/Easter Sunday are the most important days of the Church year. Plan how you (and your family) will honor these days.
• Have a meaningful and simple Good Friday lunch, read more here,
• Make Resurrection rolls to eat on Easter morning
   
   

Closing Prayer

Anima Christi

This prayer in Latin means “Soul of Christ.”  You can pray this prayer together, have one family member read it, or take turns each reading a line.

Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from Christ’s side, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds hide me. Suffer me not to be separated from thee.
From the malignant enemy defend me. In the hour of my death call me.
And bid me come unto Thee, that with all Thy saints, I may praise thee forever and ever.
Amen.

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

Catholic Insight

Palm, or Passion, Sunday begins the most sacred week of the Church year—Holy Week. During these days, we prepare ourselves for Easter by prayerful reflection upon the events of Jesus’ Passion and death. Display a crucifix in a prominent place this week, as reminder of the salvation Christ won for us. The crucifix can also be the focal point for prayer during Holy Week.

The story of Jesus’ Passion and death in Matthew’s Gospel focuses on the obedience of Jesus to the will of his Father. As Jesus sends his disciples to prepare for Passover, he indicates that the events to come are the will of the Father (Matthew 26:18). In the garden, he prays three times to the Father to take away the cup of suffering, but each time, Jesus concludes by affirming his obedience to the Father’s will (Matthew 26:39-44).

Another theme of Matthew’s Gospel is to show Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture. Throughout the Passion narrative, Matthew cites and alludes to Scripture to show that the events of Jesus’ Passion and death are in accordance with all that was foretold. And if the events were foretold, then God is in control. In addition, Matthew is particularly concerned that the reader does not miss the fact that Jesus is the Suffering Servant of the Old Testament.

The Gospels of Matthew and Mark have many parallels in their narrative of the Passion, there are a few details that are unique to Matthew.

• The price paid to Judas for betraying Jesus
• The story of Judas’s death
• The detail that Pilate’s wife received a warning in a dream and that Pilate washed his hands of Jesus’ death
• The earthquakes and other phenomena that happened after Jesus’ death

The events of Jesus’ Passion, death, and Resurrection are called the Paschal Mystery. No amount of study will exhaust or explain the depth of love that Jesus showed in offering this sacrifice for us. 

Did you know?.... The Triduum, which is the summit of the Liturgical Year, starts the evening of Holy Thursday and goes to the evening of Easter Sunday. It is the shortest but most important liturgical season. To learn more about Holy Week, watch this 3 minute video below.

WATCH: Holy Week in Three Minutes

Additional key concepts for this week:

Jesus, Son of David– Matthew’s Gospel opens by establishing Jesus as the “son of David” to confirm his legitimacy. The title indicates Jesus is the long-awaited King who will reign forever, fulfilling God’s promise to David. In the Gospels, people—especially the blind and suffering—persistently cry out “Son of David, have mercy on me” to request healing, recognizing his power and compassion.

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