Hosanna … the Son of David! : Is 50:4-7; Phil 2:6-11; Mk 14:1—15:47 (B Lent Palm Sunday)

Hosanna … the Son of David!

Is 50:4-7; Phil 2:6-11; Mk 14:1—15:47 (B Lent Palm Sunday) 

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (DO)

This Sunday called Palm or Passion Sunday is the first day of Holy Week. Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday are known as the Triduum—three days of the central worship of the Church year. Today is Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. We hold palm branches in our hands today. We say, “Hosanna, means, Be now our Savior”. Christ’s entry into Jerusalem is the sign of our hope of entry into the heavenly Jerusalem.

But does the King of glory find a welcome entry in our home and heart? Jesus went to Jerusalem knowing well what awaited him - betrayal, rejection, and crucifixion. The people of Jerusalem, however, were ready to hail him as their Messianic King! Little did they know what it would cost this king to usher in his kingdom. Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem astride a colt was a direct fulfillment of the Messianic prophecy of Zechariah, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion. Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem. Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, and riding on a donkey and upon a colt the foal of a donkey” (Zec 9:9). Those who believe, hope, and love receive Christ’s kingdom of peace and eternal life. The colt was a sign of peace. Jesus enters Jerusalem in meekness and humility, as the Messianic King who offers victory and peace to his people. That victory and peace would be secured in the cross and resurrection which would soon take place at the time of Passover.

St. Augustine, the great 5th century church father, comments on the significance of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, “The master of humility is Christ who humbled himself and became obedient even to death, even the death of the cross. Thus, he does not lose his divinity when he teaches us humility... What great thing was it to the king of the ages to become the king of humanity? For Christ was not the king of Israel so that he might exact a tax or equip an army with weaponry and visibly vanquish an enemy. He was the king of Israel in that he rules minds, in that he gives counsel for eternity, in that he leads into the kingdom of heaven for those who believe, hope, and love. It is a condescension, not an advancement for one who is the Son of God, equal to the Father, the Word through whom all things were made, to become king of Israel. It is an indication of pity, not an increase in power.”

Psalm 24 is another prophetic passage which echoes this triumphal procession of the King of glory, “Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in” (24:9). Jesus Christ came to bring us the kingdom of God. He is the true King who offers peace, joy, and everlasting life for those who accept his kingship. Does the King of glory find a welcome entry in our heart and home? Do our walls echo with the praise of his glory?

“King and Ruler of my heart, mind, life, home. May my life become your meekness and humility” (DO)