Palm Sunday
Many of the Jews of
Jesus' day were waiting for and expecting a Messiah who would restore
power and glory to their nation by driving out the Romans who were
occupying their country. When he did not preach rebellion, many were
disappointed and stopped following him. When Jesus performed his
miracles of healing and deliverance from evil spirits, deeds of the
Messiah, he often told the people not to tell anyone. In Mark's gospel
it is known as the Messianic Secret. When he is asked if he is the
Messiah, he doesn't answer. He did not come as a military leader but as
the Prince of Peace, the Anointed of the Lord.
The people all knew the
prophecy of Zechariah: "Behold, your king is coming to you, a just
savior is he, humble and riding on a donkey." (9:9) When Jesus rides
into Jerusalem, he is proclaiming his true identity. The crowd
recognizes him and greets him with palm branches and loud songs of joy
and praise. Let us ask the Lord for the grace to recognize him as he
comes into our presence every day in the person of our family and loved
ones, friends and neighbors and even enemies, the poor and suffering.
Let us not keep his deeds of love and reconciliation a secret but rather
give witness to all who would see and hear.
Fr. Ralph Huse, S.J.
No comments:
Post a Comment