Palm Sunday

Was it only child’s play?

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The children sure came, dashing and waving and shouting.

But, then, children should always be taken seriously. They often know with the sixth sense called innocence what really is and who people really are. They knew the good man trying out a borrowed donkey was no ordinary King.

No wonder the Pharisees were terrified.

“And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethpage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sent forth two of his disciples, And said unto them, ‘Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.’

And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. And certain of them that stood there said unto them, ‘What do ye, loosing the colt?’ And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.

And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, ‘Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.’

Mark 11:1-10

“And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, ‘Master, rebuke thy disciples.’ And he answered and said unto them, ‘I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.'”

Luke 19:39-40

“Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.'”

Luke 19:41-42

We really have no idea.

Jerusalem Jews were clueless. We live our lives not fathoming that God walks among us. That He bears the weight of our worry, our sin, our faithlessness.

While the “Hosannas” still echoed, Jesus stopped the donkey and wept over the city, over people who would never know, never care, and never thank Him for the price He was going to pay for their redemption.

Oh, Jesus, Who gave all to the most ungrateful and unreceiving, give me the grace to give my little to those around me though they will never know how much it cost.

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Here’s a post for Holy Monday tomorrow.