Palm/Passion Sunday

from: The Passion and Resurrection (Narratives of Jesus/A commentary) by Stephen J. Binz, p. 39,40

"The primary source of Matthew's passion account is the Gospel of Mark. Matthew follows Mark's basic sequence and includes every episode from his account. Yet, while they are strikingly similar, there are very important differences since every addition, deletion, and rearrangement in Matthew is done for a purpose. It is primarily through these differences that we are able to see how Matthew reinterprets Mark and develops his own theological themes.
Matthew heightens the dignity and majestic quality of Jesus throughout his passion account. While retaining Mark's emphasis on Jesus' suffering and abandonment, it is clearly the all-knowing and all-powerful Son of God who suffers. Jesus undergoes his passion with full prophetic knowledge of what will happen and with full control over those events. Yet Jesus does not use his power and authority to save himself, but he remains the faithful Son of the Father. The identity of Jesus is not hidden as in Mark, so the dramatic quality of the unfolding of Jesus' identity is lessened. The drama of Matthew lies in Jesus' rejection by those he came to save.
Matthew wrote in a period of the Church characterized by extreme tension with Judaism. The Church and Synagogue had separated, and Christianity was becoming more Gentile in its character. Matthew demonstrates that Jesus is firmly embedded in the salvation history of Israel and that he fulfills God's messianic promises to the people. He also shows how the death and resurrection of Jesus foretells the conversion of the Gentiles and the opening of salvation to all peoples.
As the leaders of Israel refuse to recognize Jesus and reject the Messiah, Israel loses its exclusive privileges as God's people. Matthew is intent on showing how the Church is composed of both Jews and Gentiles. While not excluding Israel, the Kingdom of God is broadened to include all the nations. The promises made to Israel are carried on through the Church as the death and resurrection inaugurates a new age of salvation.
The Gospel ends not only with the promise as in Mark, but with fulfillment. The appearance of Jesus assures the disciples that he is present with them as they continue the mission he left for them. The proclamation of the Gospel and the gathering of God's people is the task of the Church until the end of the age. The resurrection is a foretaste of the final glorious coming of Jesus. He comes to his disciples with full authority as the triumphant Son of God. He assures his community of disciples that he is with them always as they take up their universal mission."

After hearing this passion account, what action am I called to do?