Today is an unusual day in the liturgical year. It is the only day that features two gospel readings. At the beginning of Mass, we will hear a gospel known as the “Triumphant entry into Jerusalem.” And in its normal place in the liturgy, we will hear the proclamation of the Lord’s Passion.
The first gospel recounts the events of Jesus entering the city of Jerusalem, riding on a colt, while people spread their cloaks on the road as for a king. They also praised God aloud with joy. They were overjoyed because Jesus was entering the city as a king, in triumph.
Of course, we already know what is going to happen. The triumphant entry is leading to the events we will hear proclaimed as the Lord’s Passion. His suffering, and his death. A horrible death on the cross. One of the most cruel, excruciating ways to put a man to death.
In fact, this entire week will focus on the passion and death of Jesus. It seems that the triumph is short-lived, and in fact, that is also the way his disciples experienced it. They went from an absolute high, to an absolute low. It might make you wonder why we even bother with the gospel reading of the triumphant entry into Jerusalem. It feels completely overshadowed by the passion and death.
The Church employs an ancient literary technique with the first gospel reading today, because it acts as the first of a set of bookends. The other is found at the Easter Vigil. And these bookends show us our Lord’s triumph! They remind us that all the events of the coming week, known as Holy Week, are part of his triumph; the triumph over death and sin.
It reminds us that Jesus was sent by our heavenly Father for the redemption of the world. And Jesus willingly and lovingly embraced the will of the Father to accomplish this mission. The arrest, torture, conviction, and crucifixion are not the result of a plan gone wrong. They are the fulfilment of God’s plan for our salvation. All of it is triumph!
But still… Jesus died a horrific death, so our sorrow is warranted. Holy Week is a rollercoaster of emotions. But let our sorrow be for our sinfulness. Let it reflect our recognition that our Lord suffered for our sin.
But let us also rejoice because God is merciful beyond compare. Let us praise God with joy. Let us accompany him during this Holy Week as he enters his passion, willingly and lovingly. Death has no power over him.
“Blessed is the king who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven
and glory to the highest.”