Our Sermons
29 March 2026
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Palm Sunday
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The stage is set at the entrance of the city of Jerusalem.
And Jesus himself is the director.
Interestingly, he is not only the protagonist of the narrative—as he is throughout the whole Gospel—but also the one who deliberately sets the scene. Jesus gives clear and precise instructions to his disciples about the donkey and the colt. From the very beginning, we see that he is fully in control of what is about to happen. He is deeply aware of who he is, of his mission, and of his authority as he approaches Jerusalem.
And here we are invited to contemplate something truly extraordinary: the humble, yet profoundly powerful, entrance of Jesus into the holy city. There is something striking, something unusual about him.
Instead of riding a magnificent horse, Jesus chooses a humble donkey.
Why?
Why does Jesus choose a donkey and a colt?
This is a legitimate and important question for us as we reflect on this scene.
In the ancient Near Eastern world, the symbolism was clear. Warlords and conquerors rode horses or arrived in chariots; kings who came in peace rode donkeys. A donkey was not a symbol of weakness, but of humility, service, and peaceful intent. It was the animal of ordinary people—a beast of burden, not of domination.
The prophet Zechariah captures this paradox beautifully when he speaks of the Messiah as both “righteous and victorious” and yet “humble.” Here we encounter the heart of the Gospel: a conquering King who saves not through violence, but through self-giving love.
By riding a donkey into Jerusalem—only days before freely submitting himself to crucifixion—Jesus reveals the true nature of his kingdom. As he himself will later say: “My kingdom is not of this world.”
No armies.
No weapons.
No displays of power.
Only love, integrity, and a radical commitment to freeing humanity from sin and evil.
This is a powerful message.
A revolutionary one.
Riding a donkey into Jerusalem, Jesus proclaims that freedom, love, and justice are values worth dying for—but never worth killing for. This is the way of God’s kingdom.
The people welcome him with palm branches and cries of “Hosanna!” And yet, we cannot avoid the uncomfortable question: is this the same crowd that will soon shout, “Crucify him!” before Pilate?
Palm Sunday exposes the contradictions of history—and the contradictions within our own hearts. As we listen to the Passion narrative, we are invited to be honest about our failures, our fears, and our betrayals. We are invited to walk the way of the cross alongside Jesus, and alongside all those innocent people who, like him, suffer violence and injustice.
Jesus riding a donkey remains one of the most powerful reminders of how much we still need to learn about peace, selfless love, and sacrifice.
So today, as we begin Holy Week, let us walk our spiritual journey with open eyes and open hearts. Let us ask for the grace to become humble signs of contradiction in a world that relies too heavily on violence, armies, and weapons—and that is too often rooted in greed rather than compassion.
May we follow the King who comes in humility, and may we learn to live the peace he brings.