Going into the final stretch of the Lenten season, we mark once more the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. It was a celebration of sorts as the people made a grand welcome for the man they now recognize as the Son of David, Jesus the Prophet from Nazareth in Galilee. Today’s gospel in all Catholic Churches, relives that event when the people came in droves bearing palms and branches to wave as a sign of reverent welcome to the Messiah, our Savior Jesus Christ. That biblical event is commemorated by the faithful in the present Church to remind everyone who believes that Jesus Christ came to fulfill God’s great plan to redeem all of mankind from the wages of sin.
In our time, we learned of the great love story that was punctuated with Jesus Christ nailed on the cross after a horrible passion no man could ever bear. Having heard of the passion, death and resurrection narratives, we are consciously looking at the twists and turns that ended in the victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. Unlike the people who were blessed and graced to witness the events in Jesus’ time, we know what is to unfold in the passion, death and resurrection story. While those who welcomed Jesus Christ in His triumphant entry into Jerusalem had no inkling that they will change heart and loyalty in the days that followed, that to us is very well known.
But even without the excitement as to the plot of that great love story, we still have good reason to ponder and reflect on that story as it affects our individual lives. For the whole Lenten season, we were called as early as Ash Wednesday to turn away from our sins and believe in the Gospel with the stark reminded that we are all from dust and to dust we are to return. The Lenten season afforded us enough time to reflect on our lives and how God great love for us is being valued, treasured and reciprocated in our own ways.
The triumph on Palm Sunday is to be followed by unexpected turn of events that is mixed in ironies and conflicts where the supposed converted people would make a turnaround to condemn the Messiah they considered Lord and Savior. As we join the commemoration and celebration today, let us take a pause from our daily rush and examine our lives in relation to our God. Jesus Christ obediently fulfilled the will of the Father until the end of His mission.
Offering His unconditional love by dying on the cross was the supreme sacrifice for our eternal salvation. The win on that Palm Sunday did not end as defeat on His cruel and horrible death on the cross but on His resurrection which was the final and ultimate win of all and for all.
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