Palm Sunday 2026: March 29

Palm Sunday 2026 marks the beginning of Holy Week, presenting a powerful blend of triumph and sorrow. Mother Jenn McCombe will lead us in the Liturgy of the Palms and the Mass of the Passion, guiding us through a single service that transitions from the joyful celebration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem to the heavy theme of his suffering and death. We wave our palms and sing our Hosannas, but then we listen to the Passion, reminding us of the purpose of his coming.

Join us for worship as we enter Holy Week together, following our Lord on the way of the cross.

Worship with us in the way that suits you best! You can join us in person, via Live Stream, Video Replay, or Podcast.

If You Cannot Join Us In Person for Palm Sunday 2026!

We understand that you may not always be able to join us in person; therefore, we provide several virtual options.

Livestream/Playback

Join us live at 8:50 AM for our organ prelude, with the service starting at 9 AM. After the livestream ends, you can replay the video at any time.

Podcast

Did you know that we are available on all major platforms? Our podcast covers everything from the opening hymn to the sharing of the peace.

The Collect for the Liturgy of the Palms

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Readings for Palm Sunday 2026

The Liturgy of the Palms: Matthew 21:1–11

1 When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them immediately.” 4 This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, 5 “Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7 they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 10 When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Old Testament: Isaiah 50:4–9a

4 The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens— wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. 5 The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. 6 I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.

7 The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; 8 he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. 9a It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?

Psalm 31:9–16

9 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble; my eye is consumed with sorrow, and also my throat and my belly.

10 For my life is wasted with grief, and my years with sighing; my strength fails me because of my affliction, and my bones are consumed.

11 I have become a reproach to all my enemies and even to my neighbors, a dismay to those of my acquaintance; when they see me in the street they avoid me.

12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; I am as useless as a broken pot.

13 For I have heard the whispering of the crowd; fear is all around; they put their heads together against me; they plot to take my life.

14 But as for me, I have trusted in you, O Lord. I have said, “You are my God.”

15 My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.

16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, and in your loving-kindness save me.

The Epistle: Philippians 2:5–11

5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross.

9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Passion Gospel: Matthew 26:14–27:66

14 Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I betray him to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

17 On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

20 When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; 21 and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.” 25 Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.”

26 While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

30 When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 33 Peter said to him, “Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And so said all the disciples.

36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. 38 Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” 39 And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” 40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.”

47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. 51 Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?” 55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61 and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.'” 62 The high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” 63 But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your verdict?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67 Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?”

69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before all of them, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” 71 When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know the man!” At that moment the cock crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

27:1 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus in order to bring about his death. 2 They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor.

3 When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4 He said, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” 5 Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself. 6 But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money.” 7 After conferring together, they used them to buy the potter’s field as a place to bury foreigners. 8 For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one on whom a price had been set, on whom some of the people of Israel had set a price, 10 and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”

11 Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

15 Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. 17 So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. 19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 Then he asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

24 So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

32 As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34 they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; 36 then they sat down there and kept watch over him. 37 Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”

38 Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.'” 44 The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way.

45 From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 46 And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “This man is calling for Elijah.” 48 At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last.

51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53 After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. 54 Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”

55 Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had ministered to him. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception would be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

Reflection on the Readings for Palm Sunday 2026

Hosanna, and Then the Cross

The Liturgy of the Palms – Matthew 21:1–11

Matthew’s account of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem emphasizes the fulfillment of prophecy from the very first verse. He instructs his disciples to find a donkey and a colt and tell them, “The Lord needs them.” This event is presented as a direct realization of Zechariah’s vision, which states, “Look, your king is coming to you, humble and mounted on a donkey.” This illustrates that Jesus, as king, arrives not with military power but with intentional, prophetic humility.

The crowd’s response is electric. Cloaks are laid on the road, branches cut from trees are scattered about, and the air is filled with the cry of “Hosanna to the Son of David!” — a shout of both praise and petition, rooted in the Psalms. As Jesus enters the city, Jerusalem is in turmoil. The people ask, “Who is this?” and the crowds respond, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.” They aren’t prepared to say much more than that. However, the stones of Jerusalem are trembling, signaling that Holy Week has begun.

Old Testament – Isaiah 50:4–9a

The third of Isaiah’s Servant Songs conveys the perspective of someone who suffers not reluctantly but with complete and intentional trust. This servant possesses the ability to uplift the weary through his words. Each morning, he listens attentively for God’s guidance. When he faces suffering—whether from beatings, having his beard pulled, enduring insults, or being spat upon—he remains steadfast and does not waver. He is determined to confront his challenges, not because he is unfeeling, but because he knows that the Lord God is by his side. Who can claim that he is guilty?

On Palm Sunday, we hear this passage as the voice of Jesus himself, steadfastly setting his face toward Jerusalem. He knows what is coming and goes freely, sustained by the Father and obedient to the end.

Psalm 31:9–16

This psalm expresses the feelings of someone who is deeply distressed—overwhelmed with sorrow, forgotten like the dead, and surrounded by enemies who conspire against them. The description closely parallels the events of Holy Week: the isolation in Gethsemane, the betrayal, the abandonment by friends, and the mockery from the crowd. However, at the heart of the psalm is a powerful expression of trust: “But as for me, I have trusted in you, O Lord. I have said, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands.”

In praying this psalm, we are encouraged to share our experiences of abandonment, fear, and grief alongside Christ’s, finding the same ground of trust that sustained him.

Epistle – Philippians 2:5–11

Paul’s magnificent Christ-hymn places the entire drama of Holy Week within a cosmic context. The one who enters Jerusalem on a donkey is the same one who, despite being equal with God, did not cling to that equality. Instead, he willingly poured himself out by taking on human form, humbling himself to the position of a servant, and ultimately descending to death on a cross. The Greek word Paul uses for this is “kenosis,” meaning self-emptying. This is the essence of divine love.

The hymn does not conclude at the cross. Due to His obedience, God has exalted Him above every name. Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The themes of humiliation and exaltation are intertwined; we cannot celebrate the triumph of Easter without recognizing the cross’s self-emptying. Palm Sunday embodies both aspects in one breath.

The Passion Gospel – Matthew 26:14–27:66

Matthew’s Passion begins in darkness, with Judas approaching the chief priests and asking, “What will you give me if I betray him?” The response is thirty pieces of silver. From that moment on, the machinery of betrayal is set in motion, and Matthew documents it with unflinching detail. The narrative progresses through key events: the Last Supper, the institution of the Eucharist, the prediction of Peter’s denial, and the agony in Gethsemane, where the disciples cannot stay awake for even one hour. Each moment unfolds with a dreadful sense of inevitability.

In Matthew’s account, we learn about the fate of Judas. Overcome with remorse, he returns the silver coins to the temple, throws them down, and then goes out and hangs himself. The chief priests use this money to buy a potter’s field, a tragic use of blood money, and Matthew sees this as a fulfillment of prophecy. In Matthew’s narrative, there is no redemption for Judas; he is left to bear the heavy burden of his actions.

In the Gospel of Matthew, there are two unique details about Pilate that are not found in other accounts. First, Pilate’s wife sends him a message, saying that she has suffered greatly in a dream because of Jesus and advising him to have nothing to do with him. Secondly, Pilate washes his hands in front of the crowd, declaring himself innocent of this man’s blood. The crowd then responds with, “His blood be on our children and on us!” This statement has been tragically misused throughout history to justify antisemitism. However, the Church should interpret it as a dramatic literary moment within a first-century Jewish context, rather than as a justification for hatred.

At the cross, the mockery is relentless. Passersby, chief priests, scribes, elders, and even the bandits crucified alongside him all taunt him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself.” From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness covers the land. Then Jesus cries out the opening verse of Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” and breathes his last.

What follows is monumental. The temple curtain tears from top to bottom, the earth shakes, rocks split, tombs open, and saints arise. The centurion and his soldiers, terrified, confess: “Truly, this man was God’s Son.” Matthew wants us to understand that the death of Jesus is not merely a human tragedy; it is the pivotal moment in creation.

The passage concludes not at the cross, but at the sealed tomb. Joseph of Arimathea wraps the body of Jesus and lays it in his own new tomb. The chief priests and Pharisees, recalling Jesus’ promise to rise again, go to Pilate and request a guard. The stone is sealed, and soldiers are posted. Every precaution is taken. Now we wait—just as Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sit opposite the tomb—awaiting what no human power can prevent.

Palm Sunday 2026 Reflection Wrap-Up

Palm Sunday is the only day in the liturgical calendar when the congregation transitions from celebration to lamentation within a single service. We start with shouts of “Hosanna!” and end with a sealed tomb and a posted guard. This shift is not merely an abrupt change; rather, it reflects theological honesty. The same crowd that waves palm branches will later cry out, “Crucify him.” The same disciples who shared the Last Supper will flee into the night. Peter, who promised he would never abandon Jesus, weeps bitterly in a courtyard before the rooster crows.

The book of Philippians encourages us to adopt the mindset of Christ—a mindset that includes humility, service, endurance in suffering, and trust in God. In Isaiah, the servant is described as setting his face like flint, demonstrating determination and resolve. The psalmist entrusts his life to God’s hands. Meanwhile, in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus moves from the upper room to Gethsemane and ultimately to Golgotha, willingly submitting to God’s will. He prays, “Not what I want, but what you want,” and, after a loud cry, He breathes His last breath, causing the earth itself to shake.

Holy Week has begun. The way of the cross is, as the Collect reminds us, none other than the way of life and peace. Let us walk it together.