By Msgr. Joseph Prior • Posted April 11, 2025

(See the readings for Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion)

“Stay focused” is one of those sayings we might hear as children. Parents, coaches and teachers might use it to encourage a child or youth to complete a task or learn a skill. A coach might use it when drilling an athlete on some basic skills or plays; they might use it in a game when a player or team seem distracted.

As we grow older we might say it to ourselves to keep on track for a goal we are pursuing, a task we are trying to accomplish or a mission we are trying to fulfill.

The passion of Jesus Christ is proclaimed at all the liturgies this Sunday. As we listen to the unfolding of events that lead to his death, one of the things we might notice is Jesus’ focus. His goal is to complete the mission of salvation; his focus is on his Father. This focus is not interrupted. He has been focused on the Father from the beginning and never loses sight of his Father’s benevolent love.

As Jesus gathers to celebrate Passover with his apostles, he tells them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for I tell you, I shall not eat it again until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”

Right from the beginning he is aware of what will transpire. The suffering he is about to endure through faithfulness and sacrifice will result in the redemption of mankind. He will keep his gaze on the Father as an antidote to man’s turning away from God and looking elsewhere.

Jesus faces an immense amount of pressure as these days unfold. Yet right from the start he is able to give and sustain his thanksgiving. As he takes the cup at that Passover meal, he gives thanks, knowing and saying that it is his blood that will be shed for all mankind.

After the meal when he goes to the garden, he remains resolute in prayer. Once again we see the incredible weight that he bears. As his disciples sleep, his agony is so severe that he begins to sweat blood. His prayer, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me,” is another reminder that his focus is on the Father, especially poignant when he concludes that prayer, “still, not my will but yours be done.”

As the innocent one is crucified with the guilty, once again Jesus’ focus is on the Father as he pleads for forgiveness, that his mission might be accomplished: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”

As the darkness and barren field of evil has its way on Jesus, his faithfulness and focus is like a light shining. The light of faith that Jesus has been offering everyone he has encountered up to this point seems to be rejected until the voice of one of the guilty thieves crucified next to him catches the light and says: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Jesus replies: “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Jesus’ focus and faithfulness remain to the end as he utters his final words before death: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Jesus’ mission is now complete. He has fulfilled the mission for which he was sent, the reason for which he took on flesh and was born of Mary. Jesus’ passion is a celebration of God’s love, a costly love that knows no bounds.

As we continue our journey through life to life, we are invited to share Jesus’ focus, his faithfulness, his thanksgiving, his commitment, his mercy – and taken all together in his love.

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Msgr. Joseph Prior is pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Penndel, and a former professor of Sacred Scripture and rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.