As we continue our Lenten journey this month, we celebrate Passion Sunday, also known as Palm Sunday, on March 29.
The readings will focus our attention on two major events in our salvation history. In our Palm Sunday reading, we hear of Christ’s triumphant journey into Jerusalem where He is joyfully greeted by the crowds. People throw down palms and cloaks in His path as they shout “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Mk. 11:9-10)
Yet Christ does not come with the splendor often surrounding royalty.
Christ chose to make His glorious entrance into the holy city of Jerusalem riding a donkey – Christ calls this humble animal into service on His bittersweet journey that by the week’s end will lead to the cross on Calvary.
Likewise, Christ has chosen each of us to carry Him during our life on earth. Like the donkey, we often don’t feel fit to carry out the work of the King of Kings. We often think our gifts are not good enough for the King or that they are not needed.
Nevertheless, He calls us and He eagerly waits for our response.
Christ’s journey into the Holy City continues today. We are walking with Christ now and He asks us to humbly offer ourselves in service to Him. This journey with Christ will not always be easy. Remember how the shouts of approval greeting Christ on Palm Sunday are quickly replaced with jeering mockery on Good Friday.
As we each respond to Christ’s call to serve the Church, we will likely experience times when our feeling of victory and triumph are replaced with sacrifices that sometimes seem too much to carry. But we must be steadfast in our response to Christ. We must be committed to carrying Him on our journey here on earth as we live out our lives as disciples.
