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Homily for the Palm Sunday -
Year C - Lk. 19:28-40
by
Father Daniel Meynen
"Jesus went up to
Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount
that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, « Go
into the village opposite, where on entering you will find a colt tied,
on which no one has ever yet sat; untie it and bring it here. If any
one asks you, `Why are you untying it?' you shall say this, `The Lord
has need of it.' » So those who were sent went away and found it
as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said
to them, « Why are you untying the colt? » And they said,
« The Lord has need of it. » And they brought it to Jesus,
and throwing their garments on the colt they set Jesus upon it. And as
he rode along, they spread their garments on the road. As he was now
drawing near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole
multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud
voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, «
Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven
and glory in the highest! » And some of the Pharisees in the
multitude said to him, « Teacher, rebuke your disciples. »
He answered, « I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones
would cry out. »"
Homily:
"Jesus went up to
Jerusalem."
Today is the Palm Sunday!
We commemorate the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem one week before his
Resurrection! Next Sunday, it will be Easter! Today, we are entering
Holy Week, we begin the period of time during which the Church invites
us to remember all that Christ did for us, for our salvation. The
Church asks us to remember Jesus and all his kindness, and in
particular the Eucharist which Jesus instituted on Good Thursday in
order to celebrate the memory of his Passion and of his Resurrection.
Thus, it is memory which occupies the central place of today's
celebration: "The whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and
praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had
seen."
"Jesus went up to
Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount
that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, « Go
into the village opposite, where on entering you will find a colt tied,
on which no one has ever yet sat; untie it and bring it here. If any
one asks you, `Why are you untying it?' you shall say this, `The Lord
has need of it.' » So those who were sent went away and found it
as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said
to them, « Why are you untying the colt? » And they said,
« The Lord has need of it. »"
The entrance of Jesus into
Jerusalem is going to demonstrate all his power and sovereignty over
men and over the whole world! Today, all obey Jesus, men as well as
animals, and even inanimate matter: "Some of the Pharisees in the
multitude said to him, « Teacher, rebuke your disciples. »
He answered, « I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones
would cry out. »" Today, it is the triumph of glory! Tomorrow, it
will be the ignominy of the Passion. Today, Jesus is obeyed by all of
Jerusalem! Tomorrow, it will be all of Jerusalem who will command
Jesus, reducing him to the humiliation of the Cross through Pilate.
Today, Jesus freely assumes his domination over the entire universe!
Tomorrow, Jesus will go freely to accomplish the will of his Father
accepting the chalice which his Father will present to him.
"They brought it to Jesus,
and throwing their garments on the colt they set Jesus upon it. And as
he rode along, they spread their garments on the road. As he was now
drawing near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole
multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud
voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, «
Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven
and glory in the highest! »"
The entire crowd of
disciples was full of joy! Truly, what joy is in the heart of he who
sees his King, his Lord and his God, praised and duly served, showered
with every possible honor, acknowledged as the Messiah, the messenger
of God! When the Master is honored, this honor rebounds upon the
disciples. When the Chief is acknowledged for who he is, the subjects
are themselves elevated and are replete with happiness at the dignity
and the prestige of such a Sovereign. All the people are joyful:
"Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven
and glory in the highest!"
"Some of the Pharisees in
the multitude said to him, « Teacher, rebuke your disciples.
» He answered, « I tell you, if these were silent, the very
stones would cry out. »"
The envious won't have the
last word! Jesus is almighty, and even if they want to silence his
disciples, he will always find some means through which to spread his
glory throughout the whole world. Jesus is the King of the universe: he
can do all things, because everything is submitted to him! Therefore,
don't be afraid! Our Chief is always victorious, he will always save us
if we get into trouble! Let us follow him and obey him, and we are sure
to be saved!
Let us receive Jesus in
today's communion! Let us open our heart to him, as the Jews welcomed
Jesus during his triumphal entrance into Jerusalem! Let us ask Mary to
receive Jesus for us: it is her dearest desire!
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