PALM SUNDAY 2021
The Word, John 12.12-16
Jesus’ Enters Jerusalem for the Passover
12 On the next day [Sunday], when the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13 they took palm branches and went out to meet him, and cried out: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,[even] the king of Israel.”
14 Jesus found an ass and sat upon it, as is written:
15 “Fear no more, O daughter Zion; see, your king comes, seated upon an ass’s colt.”
16 His disciples did not understand this at first, but when Jesus had been glorified they remembered that these things were written about him and that they had done this for him.
A Reflection
The story of Jesus’ life for us rushes to its end. The great Passover feast of the Jews commemorating their freedom from slavery in Egypt is a highlight celebration even to this very day. But this Holy Week will be the story of the new freedom from sin one for us by Jesus.
Jerusalem is crowded – everyone wants to be there for the festival. People are delighted to see friends and visitors. Our gospel reading today is the reading used at the blessing of the palms before the Holy Mass. At the Mass itself we will hear one of the Passion narratives.
A simple note: Mondays Gospel will tell us of what happened that Saturday evening before the Palm Sunday event. Jesus was enjoying a “Thank You” dinner with Lazarus and Martha and Mary.
My Prayer
- Make yourself quiet and comfortable
- Look at the picture again – perhaps imagine yourself there
- Read the story again – maybe a number of times – want to be there –
Pray with the joyful children – HOSANNA! HOSANNA!
Pray with the adults – Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Read again the Gospel – Recall that in a few days the cry will be “Crucify him!”
Hosanna in the Highest – Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!
Father Bill Kreutz, SJ, Loyola House of Studies, Scripture from the New American Bible
