Issued by the Catholic Center for Studies and Media - Jordan. Editor-in-chief Fr. Rif'at Bader - موقع أبونا abouna.org

Published on Saturday, 27 April 2024

Palm Sunday: Will Lord Jesus Christ make another triumphant entry into Jerusalem?

By Munir Bayouk/ en.abouna.org :

April 28 marks Palm Sunday by Christians in the world who follow the Julian calendar, including Middle Eastern countries as well as Jordan. It is a day reflecting the love for Lord Jesus Christ and the time that helps believers reveal the Almighty Lord's presence in their lives and His incredible love for humanity.

 

It is a significant day in the Christian calendar that marks the beginning of the Holy Week leading up to the Feast of the Resurrection (commonly known as Easter) the following week. This day commemorates Lord Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where he was welcomed by crowds of people who waved palm branches.

 

Palm Sunday reminds us of the importance of being humble in the face of success, likening Lord  Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey, to show His meekness and gentleness. It also teaches us the significance of Lord Jesus' vicarious sacrifice to save people as He knew that his entry into Jerusalem would ultimately lead to His crucifixion, which He willingly accepted for the sake of humanity. It is a day when the crowds of people that welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem believed in Him and viewed Him as their Savior.

 

A prevalent state of discombobulation

 

Amidst the violence erupting continually in the Middle East and the prevalent state of discombobulation, Christians wholeheartedly invite Lord Jesus to make a second entry into Jerusalem in the hope that such a physical entry would be greatly welcomed as it  further pacifies the people and instills in them a feeling of safety associated with holiness, fraternal love, common living, and harmony. The hoped-for second entry manifests the Lord's presence in the hearts and minds of the believers, at a time when the salvation of humanity is represented in the subsequent Lord Jesus' death on the Cross to cleanse humanity of its sins with His precious blood that was shed on the Cross.

 

Actually, with Holy Masses celebrated on daily bases in all parts of the world, the believers mark everyday Lord Jesus' entry into their hearts, life, and families with the hope that His resurrection from the dead would ultimately lead to the resurrection of humanity from all forms of evil represented in wars and crimes against humanity, with the hope  of restoring the long-missed genuine peace. Regardless of anything, the believers are not afraid of anything because they have unwavering confidence that the peace of Lord Jesus Christ is coming sooner or later.

 

On Palm Sunday, which commemorates Lord Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem, we join the masses of people wh0 mark this great event  by signing loudly, “Hosanna, blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord."