LET US PRAY

Almighty God, we pray you bless + these branches and make them holy.  Today we joyfully acclaim Jesus our Messiah and King.  May we reach one day the happiness of the new and everlasting Jerusalem by faithfully following him who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

 

GOSPEL

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 21: 1-11.

Theme: Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord!

When they were near Jerusalem and had come in sight of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village facing you, and you will immediately find a tethered donkey and a colt with her.   Untie them and bring them to me.  If anyone says anything to you, you are to say, ‘The Master needs them and will send them back directly.’ “This took place to fulfill the prophecy:  Say to the daughter of Zion: Look, your king comes to you; he is humble, he rides on a donkey and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden. So the disciples went out and did as Jesus had told them.  They brought the donkey and the colt, then they laid their cloaks on their backs and he sat on them.  Great crowds of people spread their cloaks on the road, while others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in his path.  The crowds who went in front of him and those who followed were all shouting:  “Hosanna to the Son of David!  Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord!  Hosanna in the highest heavens!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil.  “Who is this?” people asked, and the crowds answered, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

 

OPENING PRAYER

Almighty, ever-living God, you have given the human race Jesus Christ our Saviour as a model of humility.  He fulfilled your will by becoming man and giving his life on the Cross.  Help us to bear witness to you by following his example of suffering and make us worthy to share in his resurrection.

 

FIRST READING

A reading from the prophet Isaiah    50: 4-7

Theme: I did not cover my face against insult and spittle.  I know I shall not be shamed.   

The Lord God has given me a disciple’s tongue.  So that I may know how to reply to the wearied, he provides me with speech.  Each morning he wakes me to hear, to listen like a disciple.  The Lord God has opened my ear.  For my part, I made no resistance, neither did I turn away.  I offered my back to those who struck me, my cheeks to those who tore at my beard; I did not cover my face against insult and spittle. The Lord God comes to my help, so that I am untouched by the insults.  So, too, I set my face like flint; I know I shall not be ashamed.

This is the word of the Lord.

 

RESPONSORIAL PSALM     Ps.21: 8-9, 17-20, 23-24.  Rv. 2.

Response:  My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

1.         All who see me deride me.  They curl their lips, they toss their heads.  ‘He trusted in the Lord, let him save him; let him release him if this is his friend.’ R.

 

2.         Many dogs have surrounded me, a band of the wicked beset me. They tear holes in my hands and my feet I can count every one of my bones.  R.

 

3.         They divide my clothing among them.  They cast lots for my robe.  O Lord, do not leave me alone, my strength, make haste to help me!  R.

 

4.         I will tell of your name to my brethren and praise you where they are assembled.  ‘You who fear the Lord give him praise; all sons of Jacob, give him glory.  Revere him, Israel’s sons.  R.

 

SECOND READING

A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Philippians 2:6-11.

Theme: He emptied himself: but God raised him high.

His state was divine, yet Christ Jesus did not cling to his equality with God but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave, and became as men are; and being as all men are, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross.  But God raised him high and gave him the name which is above all other names so that all beings in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus and that every tongue should acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This is the word of the Lord.

 

ACCLAMATION

Christ was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a Cross.  But God raised him high and gave him the name which is above all names.

 

GOSPEL

The passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew 26:14-27, 66

 

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS

Lord, may the suffering and death of Jesus, your only Son, make us pleasing to you. Alone we can do nothing, but may this perfect sacrifice win us your mercy and love.

 

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Lord, you have satisfied our hunger with this Eucharistic food. The death of your Son gives us hope and strengthens our faith. May his resurrection give us perseverance and lead us to salvation.

 

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