The Sunday Gospel [April 17, 2011]
Matthew 26:14-27
Jesus enters Jerusalem
1 When they drew near Jerusalem and came to Bethphage 2 on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tethered, and a colt with her. 3 Untie them and bring them here to me. 3 And if anyone should say anything to you, reply, 'The master has need of them.' Then he will send them at once." 4 This happened so that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: 5 "Say to daughter Zion, 'Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'" 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had ordered them. 7 They brought the ass and the colt and laid their cloaks over them, and he sat upon them. 8 The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road. 9 The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying: "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 the whole city was shaken and asked, "Who is this?" 11 And the crowds replied, "This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee."
Reflection
[They took out palm branches and went out to meet Him, and cried out …] “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” ~ v. 9
Today marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most significant week of the year. Everything that Jesus said and did while on earth was leading up to this week, to the moment of the cross, the climax of God’s great plan for humanity. So what better way to spend this week than to walk with Jesus through his passion and death?
Try to imagine yourself in Jerusalem two thousand years ago. Watch and celebrate as Jesus enters Jerusalem under showers of praise. Watch as he is anointed at Bethany and shares a final meal with his friends. Watch as the Son of Man, your Savior, is betrayed … seized … and brought to trial. See him falsely accused … beaten … crowned with thorns … and led up a hill to be crucified. Keep watch as the veil in the Temple tears … the rocks split … the graves open … and the dead rise. Take it all in, and let it change your heart.
As this week unfolds, take time to thank and praise Jesus for the cross. Offer your life to him in deep gratitude. Take time every day to solidify your faith in what Jesus has done for you. He has overcome the devil, sin, and death itself. He has completely forgiven you. All week long, try to respond to the stirring of the Holy Spirit by repeating with Jesus: “Not as you will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39).
“Lord Jesus, thank you for enduring the cross. Help me to remain by your side this week, watching you and learning from you.” Amen.
Credits: the WORD among us, excerpts
Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarro-abel.blogspot.com/).
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