Palm Sunday

Jerusalem is the symbol of the heavenly city – the city of the king of heaven. It is that same celestial city, which was revealed to St John the Evangelist and of which he writes: "I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming dawn out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride for her husband. And I had a voice from the throne saying: "see the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God, they will be his people, and God Himself will be with them” (Rev.21: 2- 3).

With Palm Sunday we begin our week of profound spiritual experiences. This week we traditionally call great and Holy week. During the days ahead will call to mind all that Jesus did for us and for our salvation – and we will renew our conviction that He remains ever with us to strengthen us in our difficulties, to console us in our grief and to comfort us by His presence.
His entry into Jerusalem revealed to the world the glory of Jesus, as Messiah king. On that occasion, Jesus accepted the adulation of the people, who at least for a time saw who he really is. For their part, those who had come to meet Him experienced heartfelt joy, especially the children, who in their innocence, recognised their Saviour. Indeed, their can be nothing more beautiful for mankind than the praise of the Most High – to see our Divine King glorified, exulted and blessed.

When the Master is blessed, His disciples and all humankind are blessed with Him: "Blessed are they who believed in the name of the Lord!”. When Christ is glorified, all creatures are glorified with Him, and, in submitting to Him, are raised up with Him, to share even in his Divinity, to be with Him, loving Him and serving Him forever in heaven.

When Jesus came from Bethany, He rode on a colt, the young of a donkey, and the people who met Him spread their garments on the road before Him. They waved palms and olive branches. The wonderful and beautiful things of the created order joined together in the act of praising God.

As the Lord approached the Holy city, the crowed greeted Him with cries of "Hosanna in the Highest! Blessed be the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” The Church makes her own this hymn of praise. Immediately before the consecration of the Eucharistic gifts, our voices – the voice of the Church – blend in a harmonious welcome to the king of all who, through the holy offering, comes anew to His Church.

This eternal hymn is also a call for us to consider, with all our mind and soul, the countless gifts which God the lover-of- mankind, pours out upon us every day of our lives. And as we think upon that unbounded loving kindness, we discover that, regardless of our our weakness, we indeed have been renewed and reborn, that we who have clothed ourselves with Christ are truly the children of God. "See what love the Father has given us that we should be called the children of God and that is what we are.”

May the Lord Jesus, our God and Saviour, and Messiah King, bless you and keep during this great and Holy Week. In his infinite love. He willingly took up the cross, the way by which we overcome all difficulties, by which we endure all hardships, and by which we discover the kingdom of love.

May our lady, the blessed Virgin Mary, Most Holy Theotokos, she who accompanied the Lord to Calvary, who stood by the cross, and who received His Divine Body from the cross, may she be with you during this coming week, may she guide you and strengthen you as you participate in the liturgical celebrations, and may she, the true and Faithful Daughter of Zion lead us to the Joy of the Lord, and to the Holy City built upon the rock of faith.