Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week. It remembers Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey while people praised Him with palm branches. This shows He is a humble King. But it also points to His coming suffering. The crowd that cheered would later shout for His death.

Each year’s Gospel reading tells part of His Passion. We hear about His last meal, His prayer in the garden, His arrest, and His death on the cross. We see His deep love, even when people hurt Him. He stays faithful to the Father and forgives those who wrong Him. Palm Sunday reminds us to stay close to Jesus in joy and in sorrow.

Click on the appropriate year below to see resources, themes, homilies, and more. See how to determine the correct year.

Palm Sunday Year A
Palm Sunday Year B
Palm Sunday Year C

Mass Readings for Palm Sunday Year A

See resources, homilies, and more for the Palm Sunday Year A readings here.

• Procession – Matthew 21:1-11: The Palm Sunday Mass begins with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where he rode on a donkey and was greeted by crowds of people who praised him as the Son of David and King of Israel.
• First Reading – Isaiah 50:4-7: The prophet Isaiah speaks of a servant of God who is a skilled teacher and obedient to God’s will, even in the face of persecution and suffering. The servant trusts in God’s protection and ultimately prevails over his oppressors.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 22: This psalm describes the anguish of a suffering individual who feels abandoned by God and is mocked and persecuted by others. Despite this, the speaker expresses trust in God’s ultimate protection and proclaims God’s glory to others.
• Second Reading – Philippians 2:6-11: This passage describes the selfless humility of Jesus Christ, who, despite being divine, chose to become human and submit to a humiliating death on a cross. As a result of his obedience, God exalted him and gave him a name above all others, that every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
• Gospel – Matthew 26:14 – 27:66: The gospel for Palm Sunday is always one of the accounts of the Passion. In Year A it is taken from the Gospel of Matthew. The Passion reading describes the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and death. It includes Jesus’ betrayal by Judas Iscariot, his arrest and trial before the high priest, his denial by Peter, his sentencing by Pilate, his crucifixion and death, and his burial in a tomb.

Mass Readings for Palm Sunday Year B

See resources, homilies, and more for the Palm Sunday Year B readings here.

• Procession – Mark 11:1-10: Jesus sends two disciples ahead to fetch a donkey in a village, fulfilling a prophecy and riding into Jerusalem to shouts of “Hosanna!” and the spreading of palm branches. This triumphal entry marks the beginning of the final week of Jesus’ life, leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection.
• Procession alternate gospel – John 12:12-16: Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly, fulfilling a prophecy from Zechariah and being greeted by a crowd spreading palm branches and shouting “Hosanna!” The disciples do not yet fully understand the significance of this event, but it marks the beginning of Jesus’ final days before his crucifixion and resurrection.
• First reading – Isaiah 50:4-7: The prophet speaks of a servant of God who is obedient and willing to suffer for the sake of others. This servant puts his trust in God, even in the face of opposition and persecution, and ultimately triumphs over his enemies.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 22: Psalm 22 is a prayer of lament and despair, in which the psalmist cries out to God in agony, feeling abandoned and persecuted by enemies. However, the psalmist ultimately expresses confidence in God’s faithfulness and salvation, proclaiming that all nations will one day worship and praise the Lord.
• Second Reading – Philippians 2:6-11: Paul speaks of the humility and exaltation of Jesus Christ, who despite being in the form of God, humbled himself to become a servant and even to die on the cross. As a result of his obedience, God highly exalted Jesus and gave him a name above every name, so that every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
• Gospel – Mark 14:1-15:47: The events of Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion, depicting the betrayal of Judas, the abandonment of the disciples, and the hostility of the religious authorities and Roman soldiers. Despite the unjust suffering and death that Jesus endures, the narrative portrays him as a faithful and obedient servant of God.

Mass Readings for Palm Sunday Year C

See resources, homilies, and more for the Palm Sunday Year C readings here.

• Procession – Luke 19:28-40: Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey and receiving a royal welcome from the crowds who hailed him as the Messiah and King who came in the name of the Lord.
• First Reading – Isaiah 50:4-7: The prophet’s unwavering faith in God’s help and faithfulness in times of struggle, even in the face of opposition and ridicule, and his determination to continue proclaiming God’s message despite the challenges he faced.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 22: Psalm 22 is a lamentation that expresses feelings of abandonment, isolation, and despair, yet also includes expressions of trust and hope in God’s deliverance and salvation. It is a powerful prayer that resonates with many who have experienced deep suffering and pain.
• Second Reading – Philippians 2:6-11: This reading highlights the humility and obedience of Jesus in his sacrifice for humanity, emphasizing his willingness to empty himself and become a servant, ultimately submitting to death on the cross. The passage calls for believers to follow Jesus’ example of humility and service, recognizing him as Lord and King of all.
• Gospel – Luke 22:14-23:56: The events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, including the Last Supper, his arrest, trial, and eventual crucifixion. The passage highlights the shame and suffering associated with this form of execution, as well as the magnitude of Jesus’ love for humanity.

Lookup Other Liturgical Dates in the Lectionary

The Bible is the full collection of sacred books, while the Lectionary is a book used at Mass that contains selected readings from the Bible. The Lectionary organizes these readings by day or theme, not by the Bible’s order. It includes introductions and conclusions for each reading. Not all parts of the Bible are in the Lectionary.

The Lectionary follows a three-year cycle for Sundays: Year A focuses on Matthew, Year B on Mark, and Year C on Luke. The Gospel of John is read during special seasons like Lent and Easter. Weekday readings follow a two-year cycle. In the United States, the New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE) is the translation used at Mass. On Palm Sunday, the Lectionary provides specific readings that reflect Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and the beginning of His Passion.

How to Determine the Liturgical Year

The liturgical cycle is a three-year sequence of A, B, and C.

• 2024 is Year B
• 2025 is Year C
• 2026 is Year A
• 2027 is Year B
• 2028 is Year C
• 2029 is Year A
• 2030 is Year B
• 2031 is Year C
• … and so on

Palm Sunday begins Holy Week. Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey. People wave palm branches and shout “Hosanna!” They are happy to see Him. They hope He will save them.

But things change fast. The same crowd that cheered will later ask for His death. The readings for Palm Sunday show both joy and sadness. Jesus is praised, but He also begins His way to the cross.

Each year, we hear a part of the Passion story. We hear how Jesus shared a meal with His friends, prayed in the garden, was arrested, and died on the cross. He stays calm and faithful. He forgives and does not fight back.

Palm Sunday helps us walk with Jesus. We see His love and how He gave Himself for others. It reminds us to stay close to Him, even when things are hard.

Take time to read or listen to the Palm Sunday readings. Think about what they mean for you. What part of the story stands out to you this year?

Share a thought or a short reflection in the comments. We want to hear how Palm Sunday speaks to you. Every voice matters.