Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week, the most solemn and sacred period in the Church calendar. It is a pivotal moment in the journey towards Christ’s passion. Jesus rides into Jerusalem, where the crowds hail Him as King. Ordinary people, like you and me, wave their palm branches in jubilant celebration, eager to crown Him as the long-awaited Messiah.
Amid their cries, there is a significant word that echoes throughout the streets: “Hosanna.” It is a term that means praise and adoration, but in the time of Jesus, it was a plea for salvation. It meant, “Save us now.”
Jesus’ entire mission was salvation. But the crowds who called out “Hosanna” did not fully realize the nature of the salvation Jesus was offering. Jesus was not coming to save them from a political revolution or the oppressive rule of the Romans. He was coming to offer a spiritual salvation that would reconcile humanity to God and free us from sin and death.
His sacrifice would secure eternal life for everyone who believes in Him and follows Him. It’s important for us to remember that the salvation Jesus came to bring was universal. Salvation is not limited to a select few. It is for the whole world.
As a Church, we must always keep this in mind. Ours should be an inclusive Church, one that embraces the outcast – not one that casts people out. Jesus demonstrated this throughout His life countless times. He broke down barriers, put compassion above tradition and love above the law. Jesus changed more hearts and more minds than any emperor, dynasty or earthly ruler ever could.
During Holy Week, we are reminded that Jesus’ death gave us life. Without His death, we would be dead, lost in the shadow of sin. Jesus is the centerpiece – the central figure – of salvation.
This week, I urge you not to be lukewarm about your faith and to remember the gift of salvation. We hear our favorite recording artists sing, and there is a stampede for the concert. The Yankees and Mets lose, and the Hudson River floods with tears of sorrow. We grieve heavily over the smallest losses. But God dies on a cross to save us from eternal death, and life goes on; it’s business as usual.
I’m not asking for endless emotion; weeping and wailing, or balloons and guitars. I am suggesting that we live out our Christian commitment. We should express the dying, the rising and the salvation that Holy Week stands for.
As we know, the joy of Palm Sunday is short-lived. The blissful cries of praise become angry demands for crucifixion. The spirit of exaltation will become the horror of execution. Jesus will suffer at the hands of those He came to save, and He will die.
This week, ask yourselves some questions: Will you cry “Hosanna” and truly recognize the gift of salvation? Will you turn to your brothers and sisters and try to be Christ-like? Will you take up your cross and follow Him? Or will you say with the crowds, “Crucify Him” and like Pilate, wash your hands of Him?
