Our Lord’s entry to Jerusalem has been usually called “triumphant.” How else, after all, to describe the throng of people waving palms, laying their cloaks on the road, and shouting “Hosanna”?
But when we think about it, it’s really triumphant only on the surface.
First of all, Jesus intended his entry into the Holy City to be anything but triumphant. The evangelist makes this clear by pointing out that he fulfilled the ancient prophecy by riding not on a mighty stallion, but on a humble donkey. For all we know, the Lord might even have been surprised by the rousing welcome that greeted him.
And of course, more than anyone else, Jesus was all too aware that he would soon enough overstay his welcome. He knew all to well where this triumphant procession would end up–and it wouldn’t be a pretty sight.
Not to forget: Not everyone in Jerusalem was thrilled at his arrival. The Jewish leaders did not even bother to hide their displeasure. They complained about the noise that the crowd made. They resented the disruption that this so-called Messiah’s appearance on the scene created. The message they sent to our Lord was pretty loud and clear: We don’t want to be disturbed. Leave us alone!
Today, Passion Sunday, ushers in a week when we are invited by the Church to enter more and more deeply into the mysteries of Holy Week. What is our true feelings as we stand on the brink of this week?
Are we like the Pharisees and the scribes, too busy with their routines and responsibilities, for whom the arrival of the Lord is a disturbance–best ignored or discarded?
Or are we more like the welcoming crowds, eager for a glimpse of the Lord, waving their palms and singing his praises?
Do we stand before this Holy Week with raised palms or with raised eyebrows? Are these the only two options?
There is a third way of welcoming Holy Week, also suggested by this event. We could also welcome the Lord with the silence of the stones, with hearts hardened by this thing called life–but also, ready to burst in song any minute now.
Check out our online Holy Week retreat this Holy Thursday by clicking HERE. Please tell your friends about it.
4 replies on “WELCOMING JESUS”
I am unable to access the retreat.please instruct me how. Thanks
April 13,2017. 9:17am
Link:,http://pinsoflight.net/online-holy-week-retreat-2017/
Thanks..
Is it another way of welcoming the Holy Week and to break the silence of the stones?
We live in societies plagued by globalization which is governed by the law of profit. This iniquitous law corrupts men and destroys life. Insidiously or brutally. How many devastated places, and enslaved communities?
http://ibon.org/2017/02/regions-with-biggest-mining-activities-among-the-poorest-ibon/
A friend of mine wrote: “We have to recognize that our society, where everything evolves very quickly, where benchmarks and references become more vague, is in deep search for meaning. Political, economic, migratory and climatic crises overlap and get out of hand. We don’t know how to close the Pandora’s box of violence for violence. The conflicts reach extreme cruelty before falling into false peace or latent wars.”
In front of the incessant accumulation of negative events, will we keep an unconditional confidence in a better future in which the love of our neighbor, near or far, will triumph, where the fraternity which alone will guarantee a happy globalization, respectful of diversity? If hope is lost, only the silence of the stones will remain. We can and must nourish hope by action because ” because faith is working through love”
Fr Tritz who was not a true blooded Filipino,has become over the years, a Filipino of heart and spirit.: “I cannot help the whole world but help as much as possible. So as long as I can tell myself: today I still could help someone, there is no reason to be discouraged.” he said. To help the poorest : A beautiful way to welcome Christ by illuminating hope through love of neighbor. Then the songs of joy and gratitude for life will burst forth to celebrate life. As also said Fr Tritz: “Life is beautiful, very beautiful; It is worth being lived especially if it is given”
“Ite,inflammate omnia.” Go, set the world on fire! A fire of love