Scripture Reflection, March 29, 2026, Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

Isaiah 50:4-7 Philippians 2:6-11 Matthew 26:14 -- 27:66

As a child I disliked Palm Sunday. It was the day I had to stand for the long, long gospel. And I remember having to say the words of the crowd, "Let him be crucified! “ Why do we get the part of the bad guys, I thought? I'd never do that. .. And then I grew up.

Fairly early in the gospel, before the crucifixion itself, we see two people betray Christ: Judas and Peter. And these were not casual bystanders. These were both his trusted friends who had traveled with him and heard him preach. They were part of his inner circle. Yet Judas sold him for thirty pieces of silver and Peter denied him three times.

Now, as an adult, I realize that each time I am unfaithful to the Reign of God that Jesus preached I, too, am betraying him. When I forget that the test question for my final judgment will be how I have treated the poor, the hungry, the imprisoned… When I allow myself to denigrate some people, the Samaritans of my day, because of their color or religion or sexual orientation… When I forget that Jesus called blessed those who are meek, poor in spirit, those who hunger and thirst for justice… then I realize that I am cut from the same human cloth as Peter and Judas.

But though Peter and Judas both betray Jesus, they have very different outcomes. Judas, upon realizing what he has done, despaired and took his own life. Peter, on the other hand, wept bitterly but did not despair. He trusted in the Lord's love and forgiveness.

Be like Peter. As you walk with Jesus through this holiest of weeks, seek God's forgiveness for the times you have betrayed the vision Jesus preached, the “already” but “not yet” Kingdom of God. And like Peter return humbled but forgiven.

by: Pat Schnee, OPA