PALM SUNDAY MESSAGE
PALM SUNDAY
1st Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7
2nd Reading: Philipians 2:6-11
Gospel: Luke Mathew 21:1-11, Matt. 26:14-27:66
Today is Palm Sunday. We begin the great week of the Liturgical Year (Holy Week). In the Holy Week, we commemorate the chief mysteries of our divine faith and contemplate the works and deeds of the Lord in the last days of his earthly life. The holy week begins with the celebration of the Palm Sunday. We celebrate the joyful entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem to accomplish the great mystery of our redemption through suffering, death and resurrection. This is a messianic scene which recalls the joyful and pompous royal investiture ceremony of ancient East where the newly crowned king used to be taken in solemn procession to his throne.
The gospel reading tell us that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, he was joyfully received by the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Jesus must have visited Jerusalem countless times in his life. Probably the first time was at his presentation in the temple, when he was merely forty days old. The next visit that we know was when he was twelve years old. That was when he stayed behind without his parents knowing it and they had to go back in search of him, his last and most momentous visit was just two days before his crucifixion. That visit was one with a difference.
Jesus entered into Jerusalem on donkey. When people saw him coming they spread their cloths on the road so that Jesus can pass on them. Some cut the palm branches and spread them on the road. They did not only spread their clothes and palm branches but they sang his praises
Hosanna to the son of David!
Blessing on him who comes in the name of the lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!
Jesus became a celebrity. By cutting palm and waving Jesus with it to show that Jesus is a great personality. The palm is very symbolic.
Actually, before Christianity, Palm has been regarded as sacred that in the ancient Egypt it is regarded as they sign of immortality. It is equally regarded as sacred by the Ogun (god of iron) worshipers. It has been used as a “trophy” awarded victorious athletes in ancient Greece. And in ancient Rome, the palm tree itself was victory personified. In fact, in Judaism, it is likened to righteousness when the Psalmist says “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree” (Ps. 92:12); and Ezekiel 41:18 states that “All the walls (of the Temple) were decorated with carvings of cherubim, each with two faces, and there was a carving of a palm tree between each of the cherubim.” For Christians, it is symbol of victory, life, righteousness, fruitfulness, and uprightness. It is a symbol of the victory of the faithful (Christians) over the enemies of the soul. According to Origen (Commentary on John X.18), the Palm is the symbol of victory in that war waged by the spirit against the flesh.
In life, people generally like identifying with people who are successful. Once a particular person is successful in life, many people would like to come close to such person. In our villages or towns, we know what usually happens when one of the sons of the village or town becomes a public figure or a rich person in the society. Many people would like to identify with such person by saying he is ‘our’ son, brother or uncle. This is why it is said “Success has many parents, friends, relatives and neigbours while failure is an orphan”. People hardly identify with people who are failures in the society. When one is successful, one will have many friends. But once fortune changes into misfortune, most friends will desert such a person.
This is exactly what happened to Jesus. At the time He entered Jerusalem for what would be His last Passover feast; there He was a huge success, a celebrity. His fame spread far and wide and everybody hailed Him as a wonder worker. They were saying “Everything He does is good, He makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak” (Mk 2:12) and “who can this be? Even the wind and sea obey Him” (Mk 4:4). His reputation spread far and wide because nobody has done the things He did before Him. He taught with authority and His teachings made a deep impression on them (Mt 7:28-29).
With that kind of reputation accompanying Him, the people of Jerusalem came out in great number in order to welcome Him into their country. They gave Him the kind of reception that was given to great personalities. They gave Him what we call today “Red carpet treatment”. They took off their cloaks and placed them on the road in order for Jesus to pass on them. Some of the people cut leaves and spread on the road. What a great reception! They did not only spread their cloaks but chanted hymns saying “Hosanna” and hailed Him variously as the “Son of David”, “King of Israel” and the “King who is to come”.
However, few days after this great reception, Jesus was arrested and taken before Pilate. This time around Jesus became a failure in the eyes of the inhabitant of Jerusalem. He had few friends among them. The very same people who shouted “Hosanna” earlier are now yelling “Crucify Him, crucify Him”.
What happened to Jesus might have happened to some of us or will happen to us. How very often has this sort of drama been played out in the lives of many of us? There are some of us here who were once affluent or successful but because of one reason or the other today they are poor. How are we treating such people? Are we not treating them like the way the Jews treated Jesus? If we find ourselves in such situation, how do we react? Do we despair or give up?
Jesus today gives us example of what we should do. Even though Jesus was deserted, abandoned, and rejected, He did not give up. Like the suffering servant Jesus did not give up but was confident that God would vindicate Him. He became humble and submitted to the will of God.
In the second reading, St. Paul tells us in his letter to the Philippians 2:4-11 that even though Jesus was God, He humbled Himself and became man. He did not only become man but died on the cross for our salvation. Jesus showed this humility throughout his life on earth. In order to show His humility, Jesus decided to enter the city (temple) on a donkey – a humble animal. Jesus, by riding on a donkey, fulfils the prophecy of Zechariah: “Lo your king comes to you triumphant and victorious; he is humble, riding on a donkey” (Zech. 9:9). Jesus came as a prince of peace. This is why the crowd sang “Blessing on the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven” (Lk. 19:38). . In the west, the ass (donkey) was a despised beast. But in the East the ass was a noble animal. When the king a came riding on an ass, it was a sign that He came for peace. When the king came on horse, he usually came for war.
The story of the triumphant entry of Christ and His passion has many lessons to teach us as Christians.
The first lesson which we must learn is that, we should not get carried away when people are praising us when we are doing well. We must not let it enter our heads because the same people will turn around and condemn us when we fail or luck ran out of us. When people praise us and we allow it to enter our heads, we become proud and if care is not taken we may fall for “Pride usually goes before a fall”. When things are looking “rosy be careful because you may be about to fall”. The same people who were singing Hossana, later started shouting crucify him. Life is like that. The same people who hail us will be the same people who will condemn us.
A second lesson which you and I must learn today is that we must always stand by our friends in good times and in bad times. This is because it is when things go sour for them that they most need us. This is when we should show them that “A friend in need is a friend indeed”. Our friendship should not be conditional but true friendship which is built on sincere love.
The third lesson is that it pays to be humble. Jesus is God yet he humbled himself. He took the nature of man and became a human being like us. During his public ministry he manifested his humility. He entered Jerusalem on a donkey instead of a Horse
The fourth lesson is that without Jesus we are nothing. If we have Jesus we become the centre of attraction. Without Jesus we cannot do anything. The story of the donkey. We need to invite Jesus into our lives daily.
We pray today for the grace to witness Jesus in public and in private so that we will not deny Him by our actions. May we be truly united to Christ in good and bad times, so that we will be happy with Him in that Kingdom He has prepared for us in heaven! Lord Jesus. Help us to love you with all our hearts, help us to us to acknowledge you as our saviour and redeemer. As we have started the holy week, let us to reflect on your passion death and resurrection. May the celebration of Easter bring joy to the world that is darkened by sin and saddened by sickness. Lord Jesus, Just as you became victorious over death and the devil at Easter, grant healing to those suffering from the corona virus. Help us to be victorious over this scourge and pandemic through Christ our Lord. Amen.
1st Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7
2nd Reading: Philipians 2:6-11
Gospel: Luke Mathew 21:1-11, Matt. 26:14-27:66
Today is Palm Sunday. We begin the great week of the Liturgical Year (Holy Week). In the Holy Week, we commemorate the chief mysteries of our divine faith and contemplate the works and deeds of the Lord in the last days of his earthly life. The holy week begins with the celebration of the Palm Sunday. We celebrate the joyful entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem to accomplish the great mystery of our redemption through suffering, death and resurrection. This is a messianic scene which recalls the joyful and pompous royal investiture ceremony of ancient East where the newly crowned king used to be taken in solemn procession to his throne.
The gospel reading tell us that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, he was joyfully received by the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Jesus must have visited Jerusalem countless times in his life. Probably the first time was at his presentation in the temple, when he was merely forty days old. The next visit that we know was when he was twelve years old. That was when he stayed behind without his parents knowing it and they had to go back in search of him, his last and most momentous visit was just two days before his crucifixion. That visit was one with a difference.
Jesus entered into Jerusalem on donkey. When people saw him coming they spread their cloths on the road so that Jesus can pass on them. Some cut the palm branches and spread them on the road. They did not only spread their clothes and palm branches but they sang his praises
Hosanna to the son of David!
Blessing on him who comes in the name of the lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!
Jesus became a celebrity. By cutting palm and waving Jesus with it to show that Jesus is a great personality. The palm is very symbolic.
Actually, before Christianity, Palm has been regarded as sacred that in the ancient Egypt it is regarded as they sign of immortality. It is equally regarded as sacred by the Ogun (god of iron) worshipers. It has been used as a “trophy” awarded victorious athletes in ancient Greece. And in ancient Rome, the palm tree itself was victory personified. In fact, in Judaism, it is likened to righteousness when the Psalmist says “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree” (Ps. 92:12); and Ezekiel 41:18 states that “All the walls (of the Temple) were decorated with carvings of cherubim, each with two faces, and there was a carving of a palm tree between each of the cherubim.” For Christians, it is symbol of victory, life, righteousness, fruitfulness, and uprightness. It is a symbol of the victory of the faithful (Christians) over the enemies of the soul. According to Origen (Commentary on John X.18), the Palm is the symbol of victory in that war waged by the spirit against the flesh.
In life, people generally like identifying with people who are successful. Once a particular person is successful in life, many people would like to come close to such person. In our villages or towns, we know what usually happens when one of the sons of the village or town becomes a public figure or a rich person in the society. Many people would like to identify with such person by saying he is ‘our’ son, brother or uncle. This is why it is said “Success has many parents, friends, relatives and neigbours while failure is an orphan”. People hardly identify with people who are failures in the society. When one is successful, one will have many friends. But once fortune changes into misfortune, most friends will desert such a person.
This is exactly what happened to Jesus. At the time He entered Jerusalem for what would be His last Passover feast; there He was a huge success, a celebrity. His fame spread far and wide and everybody hailed Him as a wonder worker. They were saying “Everything He does is good, He makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak” (Mk 2:12) and “who can this be? Even the wind and sea obey Him” (Mk 4:4). His reputation spread far and wide because nobody has done the things He did before Him. He taught with authority and His teachings made a deep impression on them (Mt 7:28-29).
With that kind of reputation accompanying Him, the people of Jerusalem came out in great number in order to welcome Him into their country. They gave Him the kind of reception that was given to great personalities. They gave Him what we call today “Red carpet treatment”. They took off their cloaks and placed them on the road in order for Jesus to pass on them. Some of the people cut leaves and spread on the road. What a great reception! They did not only spread their cloaks but chanted hymns saying “Hosanna” and hailed Him variously as the “Son of David”, “King of Israel” and the “King who is to come”.
However, few days after this great reception, Jesus was arrested and taken before Pilate. This time around Jesus became a failure in the eyes of the inhabitant of Jerusalem. He had few friends among them. The very same people who shouted “Hosanna” earlier are now yelling “Crucify Him, crucify Him”.
What happened to Jesus might have happened to some of us or will happen to us. How very often has this sort of drama been played out in the lives of many of us? There are some of us here who were once affluent or successful but because of one reason or the other today they are poor. How are we treating such people? Are we not treating them like the way the Jews treated Jesus? If we find ourselves in such situation, how do we react? Do we despair or give up?
Jesus today gives us example of what we should do. Even though Jesus was deserted, abandoned, and rejected, He did not give up. Like the suffering servant Jesus did not give up but was confident that God would vindicate Him. He became humble and submitted to the will of God.
In the second reading, St. Paul tells us in his letter to the Philippians 2:4-11 that even though Jesus was God, He humbled Himself and became man. He did not only become man but died on the cross for our salvation. Jesus showed this humility throughout his life on earth. In order to show His humility, Jesus decided to enter the city (temple) on a donkey – a humble animal. Jesus, by riding on a donkey, fulfils the prophecy of Zechariah: “Lo your king comes to you triumphant and victorious; he is humble, riding on a donkey” (Zech. 9:9). Jesus came as a prince of peace. This is why the crowd sang “Blessing on the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven” (Lk. 19:38). . In the west, the ass (donkey) was a despised beast. But in the East the ass was a noble animal. When the king a came riding on an ass, it was a sign that He came for peace. When the king came on horse, he usually came for war.
The story of the triumphant entry of Christ and His passion has many lessons to teach us as Christians.
The first lesson which we must learn is that, we should not get carried away when people are praising us when we are doing well. We must not let it enter our heads because the same people will turn around and condemn us when we fail or luck ran out of us. When people praise us and we allow it to enter our heads, we become proud and if care is not taken we may fall for “Pride usually goes before a fall”. When things are looking “rosy be careful because you may be about to fall”. The same people who were singing Hossana, later started shouting crucify him. Life is like that. The same people who hail us will be the same people who will condemn us.
A second lesson which you and I must learn today is that we must always stand by our friends in good times and in bad times. This is because it is when things go sour for them that they most need us. This is when we should show them that “A friend in need is a friend indeed”. Our friendship should not be conditional but true friendship which is built on sincere love.
The third lesson is that it pays to be humble. Jesus is God yet he humbled himself. He took the nature of man and became a human being like us. During his public ministry he manifested his humility. He entered Jerusalem on a donkey instead of a Horse
The fourth lesson is that without Jesus we are nothing. If we have Jesus we become the centre of attraction. Without Jesus we cannot do anything. The story of the donkey. We need to invite Jesus into our lives daily.
We pray today for the grace to witness Jesus in public and in private so that we will not deny Him by our actions. May we be truly united to Christ in good and bad times, so that we will be happy with Him in that Kingdom He has prepared for us in heaven! Lord Jesus. Help us to love you with all our hearts, help us to us to acknowledge you as our saviour and redeemer. As we have started the holy week, let us to reflect on your passion death and resurrection. May the celebration of Easter bring joy to the world that is darkened by sin and saddened by sickness. Lord Jesus, Just as you became victorious over death and the devil at Easter, grant healing to those suffering from the corona virus. Help us to be victorious over this scourge and pandemic through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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