Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

Readings of the Day

In the Palm Sunday readings, we experience the arrest, trial, incarceration and execution of Jesus.  Even though the story is told through different Gospel lenses each year, the sequence and outcome remain the same. We have let ourselves be lulled into the rhythm of the story, forgetting it continues to take place daily in the world around us. Someone gets arrested every three seconds in this country.  Trials are conducted without adequate representation. Abuse takes place during incarceration. Innocent persons are convicted. Racial bias exists in sentencing. Executions continue.

What messages in this Palm Sunday reading cause us to wake up and listen? Is this the recounting of the judgement process we replicate in our country today?  Are we as Christians, collectively, called to advocate for change to a system--toward the Gospel of forgiveness and restoration?

There are simple and impactful things we CAN do. Advocate for life for those facing imminent execution in this country with just a few clicks, through the Mercy in Action Project.  It is an easy way to appeal directly to governors and parole boards for clemency in death penalty cases, which can result in stays of executions, commutations to life without parole, or even exonerations.

In today’s readings Jesus explicitly asks his disciples to sit with him in his hour of need.  Two million people are behind bars and hundreds of thousands are released each year back into society, all of whom are in need today. And what about those affected by the daily occurrence of arrest, incarceration/detention, and trials? Are we hearing Jesus' call? 

Visit the Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition, supported by Catholic Charities USA, to find organizations and ways to help those affected by incarceration or how you can be an important part of ministering to them.  Please help this new coalition find those who are doing this work to grow this critical network of assistance.

Listen to the readings this year.  Put yourself into the readings this year.  They are taking place around you.  

We are all in need of transformation. The joy, forgiveness and restoration of Easter resurrection awaits us all.

Karen Clifton was the founding Executive Director of the Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN) and currently serves on the CMN Board.  She is actively involved in the ongoing formation of the Catholic Prison Ministry Coalition (CPMC).  Karen is the Coordinator of the Women's Team for the DC Ignatian Spirituality Project (ISP) for retreats/ongoing accompaniment for those who have experienced homelessness and are addressing their addictions. She is also a member of their national board.

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