Palm Sunday Gospel (4/9): "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord"

Gospel Reading: Mark 11:1-10  [See Passion Narrative & Meditation for Mark 14:1-15:47]

1 And when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Beth'phage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them  to me. 3 If any one says anything to you, you shall say, `The Lord has need of them,' and he will send them immediately." 4 This took place to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 "Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of an ass." 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7 they brought the ass and the colt, and put their garments on them, and he sat thereon. 8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, "Who is this?" 11 And the crowds said, "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee."

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7

6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;  I hid not my face  from shame and spitting. 7 For the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been confounded;  therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame

Meditation: Does the King of glory find a welcome entry in your home and heart? Jesus went to Jerusalem knowing full well what awaited him -- betrayal, rejection, and crucifixion.  The people of Jerusalem, however, were ready to hail him as their Messianic King!  Little did they know what it would cost this king to usher in his kingdom.   Jesus' entry into Jerusalem astride a colt was a direct fulfillment of the Messianic prophecy of Zechariah (9:9): Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion.  Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem.  Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, and riding on an ass and upon a colt the foal of an ass.  The colt was a sign of peace.  Jesus enters Jerusalem in meekness and humility, as the Messianic King who offers victory and peace to his people. That victory and peace would be secured in the cross and resurrection which would soon take place at the time of Passover.

St. Augustine of Hippo comments on the significance of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem:  "The master of humility is Christ who humbled himself and became obedient even to death, even the death of the cross.  Thus he does not lose his divinity when he teaches us humility.  ..What great thing was it to the king of the ages to become the king of humanity?  For Christ was not the king of Israel so that he might exact a tax or equip an army with weaponry and visibly vanquish an enemy.  He was the king of Israel in that he rules minds, in that he gives counsel for eternity, in that he leads into the kingdom of heaven for those who believe, hope, and love.  It is a condescension, not an advancement for one who is the Son of God, equal to the Father, the Word through whom all things were made, to become king of Israel.  It is an indication of pity, not an increase in power." [Tractates on John 51.3-4]

 Psalm 24 is another prophetic passage which echoes this triumphal procession of the King of glory:  Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors!  that the King of glory may come in.  Jesus Christ came to bring us the kingdom of God.  He is the true King who offers peace, joy, and everlasting life for those who accept his kingship.  Does the King of glory find a welcome entry in your heart and home?  And do your walls echo with the praise of his glory?

"Lord Jesus, be the King and Ruler of my heart, mind, life, and home.  May my life reflect your meekness and humility that you may be honored as the King of glory!"