Palm Sunday

Today is the start of the Holy Week. We commemorate the triumphant entry of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem. As Palm Sunday, it has been our tradition to have branches formed into the shape of a cross and we have these blessed during the beginning of the Liturgy.

In the Gospel read during the blessing, we hear of the crowds cheering up and blessing God for Jesus -- "Hosanna in the Highest! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" But paradoxically, we hear of these same crowd jeering at Jesus and demanding for His crucifixion.

Apparently the crowds shouting the praises of God did so without understanding the meaning of their action. They praised God and shouted the Hosanna yet the praise and the prayer are not rooted in their hearts. Perhaps it might be helpful if we look deep into our hearts and ask ourselves whether we really understand our Faith. Do we rally have a hold of our faith in JESUS CHRIST, or are we like the crowds only murmuring words that don't really penetrate the innermost portion of our beings?

We pray then that the Holy Week will truly deepen our knowledge and our love for this wonderful God, the God who endured all possible pain a human person could, all in the name of love. And we hope that in loving Him, we may be united with Him. Amen.