John simply describes the animal as an “ass.” Matthew is more complicated: on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden. Why is Jesus entering the city on a donkey?Īctually Luke and Mark describe the animal as a colt upon which no one has ever ridden. 3 And if anyone should say anything to you, reply, ‘The master has need of them.’ Then he will send them at once.” 4 This happened so that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: 5 “Say to daughter Zion, ‘Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” (Matt 21:2-5) “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tethered, and a colt with her. What is the basic story of the entry into Jerusalem?Īll the account, with differing details, point to Jesus entering the city riding upon animal (donkey, ass, colt), the people waving or spreading plants/palms on the way, as some shouts of praise or honor. In the 1950s there were some name changes, but it was not until 1970 that we arrived at the current configuration: “Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord”. To our sense, it seems a bit backward seems to be cutting Lent short. Older Catholics might remember “Passiontide” when the fifth Sunday of Lent was known as “Passion Sunday” and the gospel was the reading of the Passion followed by Palm Sunday with a gospel telling of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. The last two weeks of Lent has undergone many changes in names as well as what gospel(s) is proclaimed on the two Sundays. Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion: Sunday Before EasterĮvery year on the Sunday before Easter – the sixth Sunday of Lent – the church celebrates “Palm Sunday.” Most general calendars list the day as “Palm Sunday,” but if you look closely at a liturgical calendar you will see that it is actually called “Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion.” The name is appropriate as it celebrates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem but also commemorates the beginning of Holy Week and Jesus’ final journey to the cross.īut that wasn’t always the name of the sixth Sunday of Lent.
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