COMMEMORATION OF THE LORD’S ENTRANCE INTO JERUSALEM
(Homily, before the procession Matthew 21,1-11)
Palm Sunday also known as Passion Sunday is the first day of the Holy Week. It is signified in churches with the waving of palm branches and singing of “Hosanna!” It commemorates the entrance of Christ into Jerusalem, when they took branches of palm trees and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! (John 12:13).
What does the palm symbolize?
The Palm is a symbol of victory. For the Romans and the Jews it was carried in joyful and triumphant procession. Again, soldiers bore palm branches when parading their victory. Also palm was given as an emblem of victory at public games. It was used to decorate graves as a sign of the triumphant death of a martyr. These practices still exist in many our cultures today. We also carry palms as a sign of peace, peace with God and our brothers and sisters. Lastly, it serves as a reminder of Christ’s victory over sin and death.
What happens to the Palm on Sunday?
The palms are blessed and distributed. So they are sacramentals -holy. With that status, you don’t simply throw them away. The palms are held till the next year, where they are burned to make the ashes for Ash Wednesday. Some parishioners weave this palm into different symbols in the Church. More often, some are made into crosses which serve as a reminder of the Christ’s victory over death.
Application:
Let us welcome Jesus into our hearts and be willing to follow him.
Let us renew our pledge to conquer sin and evil.
Relive the emotions of Christ’s passion with a deep desire for rebirth.
ON THE GOSPEL (Matthew 21,1-11)
Jesus says to two of his disciples go into the village opposite, where on entering you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this, ‘The Lord has need of it”’. A colt is a young male donkey under the age of four, God had a plan for this colt; and, He lined up every single thing necessary to make sure that it fulfilled God’s purpose.
Every one, no matter the circumstances has a purpose for existing on earth. Most times our purpose may be disadvantaged by environmental influences, leaders, friends and many others. While other people may be tied down by guilt, anxiety, envy, lust, worry, and addictions. Whatever be the case, we are called today to take a step to untie them so that we can fulfill the purpose that is in the heart of the Father since the foundations of the world.
HOLY WEEK: This is also known as Passion Week. It refers to the last seven days of Jesus’ earthly ministry during which the key events of the paschal mystery are re-enacted. The Holy Week is described in Matthew chapters 21-27; Mark chapters 11-15; Luke chapters 19-23; and John chapters 12-19. It includes:
Palm Sunday: Jesus amid the cheering crowd, rides on a donkey to Jerusalem.
Holy Monday: Jesus visits Bethany and Mary anoints the feet of Jesus.
Holy Tuesday: Jesus foretells the betrayal of Judas and the denial of Peter.
Holy Wednesday: Judas makes a deal with the high priest; he turns over for thirty silver coins.
Holy Thursday: Also known as Maundy Thursday. Jesus institutes the Holy Eucharist and the priesthood.
Good Friday: Jesus is sentenced to death by crucifixion. He died on the cross, and was buried in the tomb.
Holy Saturday: Jesus descended into the Abyss
As we commence the Holy week today, we are called to relive the emotions for greater benefits. Let us make genuine efforts to follow Jesus closely, irrespective of the situations we are in, so that sharing in his passion we will also rise with him at Easter.
BRIEF HOMILY ON THE READINGS (At Mass Matthew 26:14-27:66)
The readings today all point to the person of Jesus Christ. In the first reading, Isaiah speaks of Christ as one who came to preach the word of God but who was beaten and insulted. He did not revenge for God is on the throne and so the insults have no impact. The Psalm speaks of the sufferings of the servant of God- Jesus. Who then is above suffering? The second reading speaks of Christ divinity yet he humbled himself and so he has been exalted by God and his name ranks above everything in creation. Humility is a principle for greatness.
In the gospel, Matthew’s narrative binds the passion and death of Jesus to his role as the teacher and the Son of Man who comes at the end of the age. In Matthew’s account two men died: Judas who realized his sin but failed to have hope; and Jesus who without sin continued to hope in the Father. This tells us about the suffering of the righteous and gives reasons to sinners not to run into despair. Regardless of your sins – never give up on mercy. If you are a saint irrespective of your sufferings – never give up.
Conclusively, the story of the triumphant entry into Jerusalem that we read at the blessing of the palms contrasts sharply the passion narrative. Still at Jerusalem, the same crowd but different tunes. St. Bernard of Clairvaux in his homily says; “How different the cries, ‘Away with him, away with him, crucify him,’ and then, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, hosanna, in the highest!’ They called him ‘King of Israel’ and few days later ‘We have no king but Caesar!’ They offered their own clothes for him to walk upon, soon afterwards they stripped him of his garment. What a contrast between the green branches and the cross, between the flowers and the thorns!
Beloved, we are like this crowd oftentimes. We say one thing today and do another tomorrow. It goes to show our insincerity and faithlessness. Lastly, this contrast goes to show the ups and downs of life. Do not be carried away by praises; when the going gets tough, keep going and you will be victorious.
FR. DANIEL EVBOTOKHAI
