Father Alex McAllister SDS
April 13, 2014
Palm Sunday
Today we celebrate the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and
we begin that great week we know as Holy Week in which
we commemorate the last hours of Christ’s life on hearth
and his glorious resurrection.
We have just read St Matthew’s account of the passion to remind ourselves just what this week is all about and how important it is that we keep this week holy in honour of our Saviour who gave his life for our sakes.
On Good Friday we will hear the same passion story in the words of St John. By publicly reading these two passion accounts and by participating in them we are helping the significance of these extraordinary events to sink home.
They may have happened two thousand years or so ago, but in a certain sense they are happening right here and now.
Today is Palm Sunday and we commemorate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem at the beginning of that fateful week. His whole life had been a preparation for this final entry into Jerusalem. It could be said that by entering Jerusalem he was precipitating all that was to follow.
It was a deliberate choice, he was deciding to do what had to be done; he was choosing to fulfil his purpose here on earth.
Jesus enters Jerusalem as a Messiah, but not the Messiah that was expected. Every word of the scriptures is fulfilled but his entry is not heralded by armies angels or soldiers, he is not accompanied by dignitaries and guards. Those who welcome him to the Holy City are not rulers or priests.
No, he comes as simply as he could: he rides a donkey, his followers are fishermen and other simple workers and he is greeted not by the civic and religious authorities but by the common folk waving palms.
In one way everything is done properly and in accordance with what was prophesied, but looking through other eyes it is utterly shambolic and hopeless. The doubters, and those who do not understand, see nothing but a raggle-taggle group of itinerants coming up for the feast. They are blind to the significance of what they see.
But those with eyes of faith see what has been longed for by so many. They see the solemn entry of the Messiah into his Holy City to take possession of it. They see the culmination of the history of the Chosen People of Israel. They see Jesus enter Jerusalem and the stage set for the most climactic and significant drama of all time to take place.
By entering Jerusalem in such a way, sitting on a ridiculous donkey and accompanied by the poor and the lowly, Jesus is making a definitive statement about what kind of Messiah he is.
He is stating that he is a Messiah for the humble and the destitute, the disadvantaged and the outcast, the sick and the lame.
He is stating that he has come to liberate the oppressed, to comfort the broken-hearted and to heal the sick. He is a Messiah who comes to save what was lost, to reconcile the sinner and to lead his people into the ways of peace.
He comes not to rule but to serve; he comes not for glory but for salvation.
Let us rejoice and praise God that he has given us so great a redeemer!
http://www.catholicwealdstone.org/wordpress/?p=1636
Digest of Articles from Catholic Blogs and Websites
April 13, 2014
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s passion
Matthew 26:14-27:66
Gospel Summary
Matthew’s passion narrative begins with the plot of Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus and continues through the well-known scenes: celebration of the Passover meal; the promises by Peter and all the disciples that they would never lose faith in Jesus; the agony in the garden called Gethsemane; the arrest of Jesus; the abandonment of Jesus by all his disciples; the trial; Peter’s denial of Jesus; the suicide of Judas; Pilate’s release of Barabbas and condemnation of Jesus to death by crucifixion; the torture and mockery by the Roman soldiers; the crucifixion accompanied by dramatic signs of a new age; the burial of Jesus.
…more
Passion Sunday of the Lord’s Passion: No need for the Temple
There are many scenes in the Passion account from the Gospel of Matthew which we have just proclaimed. This year, a particular scene keeps recurring to me. The scene is not on Golgotha, but in Jerusalem, in the Temple. The time in at 3 in the afternoon at the moment that Jesus dies. The readings said that there was an earthquake, and the curtain of the Temple was torn in two.
…more
Palm Sunday- Victory of Humility
Palm Sunday — When a conquering hero of the ancient world rode into town in triumph, it was in a regal chariot or on the back of a stately stallion. Legions of soldiers accompanied him in the victory procession. Triumphal arches, festooned with relief sculptures, were often erected to immortalize his valiant victory.
After driving out demons, healing the sick, and raising the dead, it was time for the King of Kings to enter the Holy City.