Today Our Lord Jesus makes his solemn entrance into Jerusalem. For Jesus’ disciples the reality
that he is the Messiah, the One who has come to save Israel, is clear. They follow him into the city
carrying palm branches, spreading their cloaks before him, and acclaiming him as King (Lk 19: 28-
40). Jesus enters the city on a donkey, a sign of great humility, but also a visible sign that he is
fulfilling all that the Prophets foretold: “Behold: your king is coming to you, a just savior is he, humble
and riding on a donkey (Jer 9:9).
What should startle us during these sacred days is the great mystery that many could not see the
prophesies being fulfilled before their eyes in Jesus. The disciples proclaim: “Blessed is the King who
comes in the name of the Lord” (19:38) and yet others see him not as a King, but as a criminal and so
they crucify him just a few days later. We pray during this Holy Week that we may always have the
eyes to see the Lord Jesus as the King of all hearts, as the Messiah who comes to save us from our
sins. We pray also for those who still do not recognize or accept Jesus. We ask Mary, Our Blessed
Mother, to always lead us to her Son Jesus. We know that leading us to Jesus will always bring us
first to the Cross on Good Friday. Mary was there beneath the Cross when the others fled and she
will also be there to rejoice in his glorious Resurrection.
Finally, let us take note in these days of how we live out the scriptures in Holy Mass. We will pray
the same words as the disciples did on Palm Sunday: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he
who comes in the name of the Lord!” We will carry palm branches just as those disciples did all those
centuries ago. We will journey with Our Lord Jesus along the road to Calvary, to the tomb on Holy
Saturday, and to the garden with St. Mary Magdalene on Easter Sunday. Let us prepare our hearts
for this great week of adventure and redemption. Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever!
Fr. Cona
