by Fr. Julius C. Lupot
UST Graduate School

READINGS:   Isaiah 50: 4-7   /   Psalm 22: 8-9. 17-18. 19-20. 23-24   /   Philippians 2: 6-11

MARK 14: 1 – 15: 47 or Mark 15: 1-39 (Short Form)

HIS WORD…And at three o’clock JESUS cried out in a loud voice, “ELOI, ELOI, LEMA SABACHTHANI?” which is translated, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”

my words… Today is “Palm Sunday” and we begin the eight-day Holy Week Celebrations of the Paschal Mystery; meaning, the suffering, death, and glorious resurrection of Our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

The Triumphant Entry of Jesus and His men to Jerusalem was thought of by the people in His time as a “revolutionary take-over” of the whole city where Jesus was to be enthroned as a “revolutionary King”. That was the reason why the whole city was disturbed for the officials and officers of the holy city thought a “quo-de-etat” was unfolding. So they had to do a lot of “emergency caucuses”, hurried decision-makings, and manipulations of judicial procedures just to kill Jesus. And they were not aware that providentially, to prosecute Jesus with death penalty by hanging Him on the cross at Calvary was His enthronement as “the King” not only of Jerusalem but of the whole wide world (www.com).

Brothers and Sisters, Jesus’ Entry to the Holy City carries a lot of symbolisms in words and objects; namely, a) people carried PALMS AND BRANCHES – a kind of a Mediterranean cultural “royal welcome” accorded to an acclaimed King, b) the animal ASS – a lowly animal, on which a king sits, symbolizing that the King of Peace triumphs not by arms or violence but with humility and meekness, c) the acclamation “HOSANNA” – an Aramaic or Hebrew word, originally used to ask for help or salvation as contained and formed part of the “Hallel Psalm” (Psalms 113 – 118) that formed praises to God. In shouting “Hosanna”, the people praise God because of Jesus and ask that they be saved! d) the title “SON OF DAVID” – here Jesus, who refers Himself as the Son of Man, now lets Himself be addressed as the ‘Son of David’, thereby admitting implicitly that He is the Messiah, who has been foretold to be a descendant of King David, and e) the phrase, “BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!” – is another acclamation, voiced by the Psalmist (Psalm 118:26), expressing jubilation and gratitude for the person and presence of someone with a divine mission (Fr. Gil A. Alinsangan, SSP. 365 Days with the Lord 2015. March 29, 2015 – Sunday Reflections).

Brothers and Sisters, let us know and deepen our Faith and understand these symbolisms of faith so that our annual celebration of the Holy Week may find meaning in our daily works, missions, and life. Jesus came to live among us… and He died and rose for us that we may have “life” in Him.

LET US CELEBRATE A MEANINGFUL AND GLORIOUS “SEMANA SANTA”…

AND MAY GOD BE ALWAYS ALIVE IN US…