1ST READING. IS 50:4-7. PSALM. 22. 2ND READING. PHIL 2:6-11. GOSPEL. MATT. 26:14-27;66.
THEME: THE TRIUMPHANT ENTRY
INTRODUCTION
To fulfill the prophecy about his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, Jesus, gallantly embraced the Cross that His Father has prepared for him. He went to Jerusalem to give up his life in atonement for your sins and my sins. His mission to Jerusalem is a mission of Sacrifice. The people received him on his way with Palms and branches. Some spread their clothes on the road as he journeyed to Jerusalem. He was publicly acclaimed by the people as the Messiah. They sang for him. They rejoiced over him. Few days after this Acclamation the same people will shout crucify him. In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah presented to us what Jesus will go through in his passion. The Psalmist speaks of a suffering servant saying aloud “My God, My God, why have you abandon me.”(Ps 22). In the second reading, the apostle Paul tells us how Jesus submitted humbly to the will of his Father. Even though he was God, he didn’t claim equality with God. A lesson in Humility and Submissiveness. A lesson in Obedience.
In the Gospel, we are presented with the Passion narrative from Matthew. In this story, we see the betrayal of Jesus by the people starting with Judas. At the end, even though he was innocent, he was crucified for the sins of the world.
Everyone of us should examine the role we are currently playing. Jesus went to Jerusalem to suffer and die for us. How are we responding to this love of God? How are we paying Jesus for what he has done for us.
Today, let everyone of us resolve to repent of our sins which took Jesus to the Cross. Let everyone of us submit to his Lordship as Jesus himself submitted to his Father. Let us strive daily to do the will of Jesus as he himself did the will of his Father.
Let us lay down our lives for our neighbors as Christ laid down his life for you and me. Let us today resolve radically to promote the kingdom of Jesus.
This is the task before us. On our own we cannot do this. Let us turn to Jesus in prayer for the grace to die to sin and live for him.
May the Lord who went to Jerusalem to die for us give us the grace of final perseverance in following him. Amen. Happy Holy Week and Easter in Advance.
With lots of prayers and love.
