Whenever I think of Palm Sunday, I picture the waving palms, the enthusiastic crowd, and the stirring cry, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” Yet the readings of the Eucharistic liturgy show us another picture.

Several of those closest to Jesus would soon turn their backs on the Master. Judas accepts thirty pieces of silver to betray him. Peter boldly promises to be steadfast in his faith in Jesus, only to deny him later the same day. Peter, James and John succumb to human weariness as Jesus prays in the garden. After a brief show of courage, all his followers flee the troops who seize the Lord. The horror of the trial and crucifixion follow. The crowds that cheered on Sunday became the crowds that jeered within a few days.

We followers of Jesus know that we also have been unfaithful to him at times in our lives. This is the moment to repent of our failures, and to renew our belief in the unfailing love of Christ Jesus who humbled himself for us, forgiving all as he hung on the cross.