The Humanity of Holy Week

Reflection for March 29, 2026 – Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

In this Sunday’s Gospel, we hear the story of Jesus’ final days on earth – from his welcoming reception on a donkey to his crucifixion, which saved the world. Find today’s reading here.

We have all sold Jesus out, at one point or another. Some of us have done it more than once, and we’ve done it for a lot less than 30 pieces of silver.

We have all denied Christ, and we have done it more than three times and under much less pressure than Peter, who feared for his life when he shouted, “I do not know the man!”

We have all struck the face of God — out of anger? Fear? Confusion? All of the above? — screaming, in agony, “Prophesy for me!”

At one point or another, we have all looked at our Lord beaten and betrayed, and we have all said, as Pilate did: “What shall I do with Jesus called Christ?”

And we have all hung on the cross chosen for us, crying out in bewilderment: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

Holy Week is a week where we see humanity, in all its vulnerability and ignorance. We see it in the “villains” of the piece, like Judas, and in the morally neutral characters like Pilate and the Jews who have been misled about Jesus. We even see it in the “good guys” like Peter.

In this, the holiest week of the year, we see ourselves at our very worst. The chasm between man and his Creator is an ancient one, and it is driven deep and wide — by the pridefulness of Adam and Eve, yes, but also by every poor choice you and I have ever made.

Every “I don’t know the man!”

Every “Prophesy!”

Every “What shall I do with Jesus?”

These cries echo forth from the depths of this chasm.

But this week — this Holy Week — a bridge is built across the chasm. And God reaches out His hand.

©LPi