The Gospel read at mass on Palm Sunday Year A is The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
It can be accessed here: https://universalis.com/australia/20260329/mass.htm
It is only once in every three years that we publicly share together Matthew’s full account of the arrest, trial and death of Jesus. This Sunday is that day. Matthew’s passion is rich in every sense of the word. It is the longest account of what Jesus endured, and it also has the most diverse cast of characters.
Only Matthew devotes attention, not only to the tragic fate of Judas who was filled with remorse, but also to the thirty pieces of silver which were used to buy a cemetery for foreigners called the Field of Blood. Only Matthew tells us about the dream of Pilate’s wife which leads her to send a message to her husband that he should have nothing to do with Jesus.
Matthew’s Gospel features several dreams. Joseph is told in a dream to take Mary as his wife, to flee with his family to Egypt and later to return from Egypt. Dreams are one of the many links between Matthew’s Gospel and the Hebrew scriptures.
This is by no means to say that Matthew’s Gospel is merely an interesting piece of literature. It is only to suggest that, in Holy Week, Matthew’s Passion is a wonderful encounter to enter slowly as we spend time with the Lord, allowing the mystery of the cross to deepen within us.
GospelReflection
As we read and listen to Matthew’s account of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, one commitment we might make is to take a section each day this coming week and stay with it for ten minutes:
Monday Matthew 26:14-35
Tuesday: Matthew 26: 36-56
Wednesday: Matthew 26: 57-75
Thursday: Matthew 27:1-26
Friday: Matthew 27: 27-56
Saturday: Matthew 27: 57-66
The trial and death of Jesus reminds us of the tragedy of injustice that continues to this day in so many places around the world.
Throughout Lent, Caritas Australia, through Project Compassion, has attempted to draw our attention to many important issues in our world. We have been invited to take up the cross and follow Jesus in our own time as we Unite Against Poverty.
We can pray, with Jesus, ‘Let it be as you, not I, would have it.’ God’s desire is for peace, healing and unity in the face of all the challenges facing humanity. Let us help Jesus carry the cross in our time.
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Palm Sunday & Holy Week
As we mark Holy Week, we reflect on another year of turning our faith and love into action through Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion. Throughout Lent, we ’ ve witnessed the power that our CEWA community can generate when we come together as one, and heard four incredible stories of resilience and strength which offer a window into the kind of transformative impact we can achieve.
In Tanzania, Sisilia’s life was changed with access to nearby clean water. She can now spend more time studying so she can fulfil her dreams of one day becoming a pilot.
Monoranjon, from Bangladesh, learnt climate-resilient farming techniques, helping his family survive and build a safer, more sustainable future.
In rural Fiji, Manaini learnt food processing and gardening skills through Caritas Australia’s partner, FRIEND, creating more income opportunities to support her children’s education.
And in Gaza, Caritas Jerusalem staff remain committed to providing lifesaving support, standing in solidarity with families enduring this conflict.
But the work isn’t done yet, and there is still time to donate!
Will you help make this our most meaningful Project Compassion yet?
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DONATE NOW
You can support Project Compassion 2026 through the iPad in the Leederville Staff Room or by scanning the QR code to donate.
Thank you for standing with us, as we Unite Against Poverty this Lent.
