4/13/2025 - Palm Sunday

CELEBRATING THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY AND ACCOMPANYING CHRIST ON THE JOURNEY TO CALVARY

The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on a colt and His subsequent exit carrying the cross to Golgotha represent two profoundly contrasting moments in His ministry. These events encapsulate the dual nature of Christ’s mission—His kingship and His sacrificial role—as well as their deep theological significance for us, His followers. On Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey’s colt, fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9: “Your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey”. This mode of transportation was deeply symbolic.

In ancient times, kings who rode horses were seen as conquerors coming for war, while those who rode donkeys signified peace. By choosing a colt, Jesus presented Himself as the humble King of peace rather than a militant leader. For many who expected a conquering messiah, Jesus was a disappointment, but for the ordinary folk this event called for a celebration.

The crowd welcomed Him with palm branches and shouts of “Hosanna,” acknowledging Him as the Messiah and King who came in the name of the Lord. This public acknowledgment marked a pivotal moment in His ministry, where He openly claimed His title as King of Israel. Yet, His choice of a donkey also emphasized servitude and accessibility to ordinary people, reinforcing His role as a Savior for all humanity rather than an elite ruler.

For us Christians, the triumphal entry signifies hope and the promise of salvation. It celebrates Jesus as the prophesied King who brings peace—not through military might but through humility and love. The event also serves as a reminder that true leadership is rooted in service and sacrifice. Luke masterfully but poignantly points out the struggle for power among the disciples even at the sacred moment of the Last Supper. In stark contrast to the triumphal entry, Jesus’ exit from Jerusalem carrying His cross to Golgotha symbolizes suffering, rejection, and ultimate sacrifice. After being arrested, mocked, beaten, and crowned with thorns, He was forced to bear His own cross to the place of execution outside the city walls. This journey along the Via Dolorosa reflects His role as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). The act of carrying the cross highlights Jesus’ submission to divine will and His willingness to endure immense physical and emotional pain for humanity’s redemption. Golgotha, meaning “Place of the Skull,” was a site reserved for criminals—a stark contrast to the royal welcome He had received days earlier. Here, Jesus was crucified alongside thieves, further emphasizing His identification with human suffering. For Christians, this moment underscores Christ’s sacrificial love. It reminds believers that salvation came at a great cost—the suffering and death of God’s Son. The image of Jesus bearing His cross serves as an April 13, 2025 –Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord invitation for us His followers to take up our own crosses in discipleship, embracing trials with faith and perseverance.

The juxtaposition between these two events reveals profound theological truths about Jesus’ mission. In His triumphal entry, He is celebrated as King; in His journey to Calvary, He fulfills the role of the Suffering Servant described in Isaiah 50 (our first reading). Together, these moments illustrate that Christ’s kingship is not about earthly power, but divine authority expressed through humility and sacrifice.

For Christian followers, this duality offers both comfort and challenge. The triumphal entry reassures believers of Christ’s victory over sin and death—a victory achieved not through force but through love. Meanwhile, His journey to Calvary calls us Christians to emulate His selflessness by living lives marked by service, forgiveness, and compassion.

Each of the four evangelists has his own distinctive perspective on the passion. Mark emphasizes the isolation of Christ: betrayed, forsaken and denied by the disciples, mocked and tortured by His enemies, railed at by the brigands crucified with Him, and, finally, bereft of the presence of His Father. Matthew brings out the royalty of Christ, but it is a paradoxical royalty, manifesting itself precisely in humiliation. John is also concerned with Christ’s royalty, but it is a royalty visibly present. Luke tows a different line. He transposes the passion from the key of tragedy to the key of pathos. It is the story of a martyrdom (later he will write a parallel with Stephen’s martyrdom in Acts), of one who goes out in sympathy to others like the “daughters of Jerusalem”; His executioners “Father, forgive them”; and the thief “Today you will be with Me”. All the Gospels surprise us with the serenity of Christ’s death (“Father, into Thy hands ...” ). Thus, the passion story is intended not merely to narrate what happened but to interpret it as good news of our redemption and supreme example of our living and dying. Fr Tom Kunnel, C.O