Today we enter into the holy of holies of the Church’s worship, that is, Holy Week, beginning with Our Lord’s entry into Jerusalem. And even more, we enter with him into the inner Jerusalem, which is his Sacred Heart. For, if we listen carefully to the words the Church places before us, we will hear the inner movements of Jesus’ heart, his greatest desires and affections, his one thing necessary. It is a privileged time for us, an acceptable time, the day of salvation.
Today the Father reveals to his people Israel, who are gathered for the feast of Passover, their true king. He is David’s son, the heir of David’s kingdom. But he is also the Father’s Son who did not cling to his equality with God. And here we have the stumbling block, the winnowing fan. For Jesus is both Son of God and son of David. He is not a Messiah riding in with pomp and circumstance, but someone who is not afraid to mount a beast that poor people use, a lowly donkey. This humble entry shows us the true king, for humility is the Father’s will and the one thing necessary for Jesus.
We will learn many other things about our king in these days: his eager desire to eat his Passover meal with us; the betrayals and lance that pierced his heart; and what this cry means: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? And finally, since our hope will not disappoint us, we will witness his triumph. That is why this is a privileged time for us, and why we must catch even the crumbs that fall from the Church’s table.
We began our celebration with the children of Jerusalem welcoming Christ the King. It reminds me of the sentiments that Jesus expressed when he rejoiced in the holy Spirit, and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.” Now it is our turn to rejoice in the Holy Spirit as we enter into the inner secrets of Jesus’ heart and accompany him to Jerusalem.
