PALM Sunday events signify the core of Christian faith. Jesus exemplified His love for His father—for being obedient unto death. The Lord also proved His love for men by saving them from eternal death. He redeemed man.
As Saint Paul said: “I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave His life for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Jesus enters Jerusalem
Palm Sunday makes known to Christians the Passion of the Lord. Passion in Latin, patior pati, means to suffer. It also means enthusiastic love—a desire to equal the requirements of a difficult task.
Jesus Christ suffered and willingly accepted the cross and crucifixion for man’s salvation. He made possible the reconciliation, between God and fallen man.
Jesus, approaching Jerusalem from Mount Olives, sent two of His disciples to the village ahead of Him to get a donkey tied with her colt. And if anyone says a word, He told them to reply: “The master needs them; and then He will let them go at once” (Matthew 21:2).
The disciples went to the city and found the scene as told them.
Jesus’ fame has spread due to the miracles and healings He performed. So a huge crowd wanted to see Him and follow Him.
Jesus’ triumphant entry to Jerusalem was foretold by Zechariah, an Old Testament prophet and father of Saint John the Baptist: “Rejoice, rejoice people of Zion! Shout for joy you people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He comes triumphant and victorious but humble, riding in a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9).
Unlike a king to His people or a conquering warrior on a chariot waving to a welcoming crowd, Jesus entered Jerusalem simply, humbly and in peace, riding on a donkey with His colt.
People removed their cloaks and spread them on the road. Palm leaves, which are emblems of victory and homage, were waved. Rods, entwined with leaves and branches of trees, were held high and, in grateful voices, the people shouted: “Praise God! God bless Him who comes in the name of the Lord! God bless the king of Israel” (John 12:13).
The entire city was shaken on the joyful welcome for Jesus.
Blessed Luisa Piccarreta, the little daughter of the Divine Will, in The Hours of Passion, narrates what Jesus said to His disciples: “Tomorrow, I will walk these streets bound and dragged among a thousand insults.”
As He walked with them He points to the “places where He will be most insulted and tortured.”
Piccarreta writes that when Jesus looks at Jerusalem, He trembles and felt so sad over its destruction. Horrified, He withdraw His gaze.
The Passion is a prelude to the crucifixion of Jesus—true God and true man. He is like man in all aspects, except sin. On Passion Sunday, it is He who that takes precedence. He is a friend to all and extended that friendship to all. He redeemed all men, because He loved them all. The people who joyously shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord,” (Matthew 21:9) were the same group who chanted “Crucify Him.”
Jesus was silent to the yells of the people. He knew so well that they were superficial applauses, expressions of sensibilities and not of faith.
Yes to God’s will
Man has multiplied His wants: cravings for wordly things, desires for the fulfillment of visions, yearnings for honors and powers and longings for the best in life.
He prays for God’s intervention for their realization.
Because God knows what is best for each man, not all supplications are realized. “His will can sometimes be crucifying,” says Fr. Nil Guillemette, SJ, “but it is always, in the long run, life-giving, beatifying.”
God calls men to a greater faithfulness. To trust Him for His will is our peace.”
Santiago is a former regional director of the Department of Education-National Capital Region. She is currently a faculty member of Mater Redemptoris College, Laguna.
Image credits: Wikimedia Commons