This weekend, we share in the Passion of our Lord. At the beginning of Mass, we'll hear about Jesus entering Jerusalem, surrounded by the crowds waving palms. What has always struck me about this reading is the fact that the same crowd that lays their cloaks on the ground and welcomes Jesus as their king turns their backs on Him just a few days later. What in the world happens in those few days to make those people completely change their minds about our Lord? And would I have done the same?
Just something to think about. What stands out for you?
I have always wondered about that too. I guess it shows, in a very dramatic way, how fickle human beings can be. God is the only one who will never let us down.
ReplyDeleteIt is always such a paradox of emotion as we celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem with joy, but with the realization that very sad events are soon to come. What we as individuals would have done had we been there in that moment in history is a question we could ponder for the remainder of lour lives. It seems that when I ponder "What would *I* have done...?"...it is time for me to ask myself what I am (or am not) doing in the here & now, as Christ is still amongst us.
ReplyDeleteThat's a really good insight, Pilgrims. I appreciate the connection between how we can apply this to our lives here and now.
DeleteBeautiful reflection I came across this morning on this Palm Sunday...
ReplyDeletePalm Sunday is the feast of the Church where we believers greet the Lord our king, the Logos (Word) of God made flesh. He is greeted not simply as the One who came to us once riding on a donkey, but as the One who is always present with us, coming to us in every celebration of the Eucharist, & in all our prayerful moments.
We greet the One Who is present in every act of love, kindness and mercy. We meet the One Who is from before the beginning of time, and Who was before the creation itself. We greet the One Who, as the Logos, spoke, & everything that is, came into being.
We greet the One Who comes to deliver us from our fallen nature, & make us whole. We come to greet the One Who, by His death & Holy Resurrection, frees us from the bonds of death. We come to greet He Who arrives on the colt of a donkey, the King who liberates His people from our fallen nature, restoring us to the image & likeness of Himself. On Palm Sunday we behold our King: the vanquisher of death & the giver of life.
Blessed Great & Holy Week to everyone!