Mk 11:1-10; Is. 50:4-7; Ps. 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24; Phil. 2:6-11; Mk. 14:1—15:47

Today marks the beginning of Holy Week in which we bring to the Lord our offering of ourselves as we have served him through the Lenten season with hearts of love in our acts of faith, hope, and charity.  This day also commemorates Jesus entering Jerusalem as he willfully offers himself up for us on the cross.  Our readings provide an overview of Holy Week as we prepare to enter into the mystery of life, death, and the resurrection through the anointed one.  Jesus is Lord and we are his people. 

“Hosanna in the highest!”  Hosanna means “save, we pray”.  This is our prayer this day that the Lord comes to save us.  We sing it in adoration for the one who saves by his sacrifice on the cross.  All of biblical history and prophesy points to this day and now it has arrived in our time, for our people that the Lord Jesus may save us from our sin.  This day is and will always be a day of the present for the sinner who seeks redemption and forgiveness, who desires to be made whole and be holy. 

Jesus is the one of whom Isaiah speaks of who gave his back to those who beat him and set his face like “flint”, without rebellion regardless of what he faced remaining obedient to the Father to the end.  The end was to simply mark the beginning of a new heaven and earth, the kingdom of God in our midst.  All this because of his obedience to give glory to the Father.  What are we to say to God our Father, “save me” from every pain of life and let tnm anhis pass over me without sacrifice?  Jesus reminds us of his prayer to the Father was “Father, glorify your name.”  Jesus willed to do the will of the Father and that is how we are to pray “let thy will be done.” 

As we recall the passion of the Lord let us also reflect on our own mortality.  We are to prepare for death just as we prepare for to face each day of life.  It begins with prayer and ends with prayer.  Prayer of thanksgiving for the blessings of life, prayer of adoration to our God that he may reveal himself to us this day, prayer of contrition that we may reflect with an examination of conscience, prayer of supplication in humility for our needs and for the needs of others, and prayer of silence to simply listen and wait for our God does not delay in coming. 

While prayer is the beginning and end of our day, we also go forth to live out our prayer as a faithful servant of the Lord answering the call, walking in the footsteps of Christ in imitation of him, trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and always listening for his voice to speak to our hearts.  In this manner we live for the Lord and we die for the Lord and death has no power over us. 

Let us now enter into his passion and walk the villa dolorosa with him this week that we may rise with him this Easter.