Fr Leslie Miranda
| | HOLY WEEK | | Is 50:4-7 Phil 2:6-11 Lk 22:14-23:56 (or 23:1-49) | | March,28 | | Palm Sunday | Jesus went on ahead going up to Jerusalem. This move of Jesus showed how courageous He was; because He knew that the authorities were hostile and would have Him arrested. When He was near Bethphage and Bethany, close by the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples on a mission to the opposite village. The disciples went and according to Jesus’ instructions located a colt, on which no one had as yet ridden. As they untied the animal the owner questioned them. They gave the prearranged password: “The Lord has need of it.”
They took the colt to Jesus. A few cloaks were thrown on the back of the colt, as a saddle, then the disciples set Him on it. The crowd enjoyed the proceedings. They spread a green carpet of palm and olive branches before Him (John, Mk). What followed was a typical eastern display. Shouts |
| and acclamations filled the air. Their voices trumpeted, “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord.”
The crowd wanted to see the Messiah claim His Kingdom. Christ surprisingly seemed to oblige them. The spontaneous enthusiasm of the disciples on that first Palm Sunday was remarkable; Luke is the only evangelist who tells us that it upset some of the Pharisees in the crowd. They asked Jesus to check his disciples. The Master knowing that shouting was inevitable, replied: “If these keep silence the stones will cry out.”
Christ’s choice of both time and place marks Him as a man of courage. With regard to the time, He knew His end was round the corner; yet undaunted He went for His last donkey ride. As a child the donkey ride saved Him from Herod’s sword. This ride only served to arouse His enemies into destroying Him. ...Contd. | | |
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