Palm Sunday 

   "The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.’” (Matt 21: 9) 

   Such was Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem; the crowds proclaiming His glory and crying “Hosanna in the highest”.  In five short days many of them would, at the provoking of the Jewish leaders, be crying just as loudly for His crucifixion.

   It’s always interesting to see the church fill up on Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday and Easter.  People who never set foot in church the rest of the year for some reason feel the need to come on these days.  It’s a good thing and I always pray that some, even one, will be touched and return to Mass on a regular basis.

   Sadly, most will take their palms home, perhaps display them for a while and then forget them once Easter is over.  They are like those who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem and then five days later insisted that He be crucified.  Of course, they don’t cry out for His death, instead they simply ignore Him the rest of the year.  They’ll be back at Christmas, but otherwise probably not.

   Just as sad is the fact that many who are at Mass every Sunday are not much different.  They come on Sunday, but the rest of the week is devoted to earthly desires.  They hurry out as soon as Mass is over and go about their worldly, materialistic life until next Sunday.

   Our Lord is with us every day, seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year.  He does not neglect us regardless the day of the week or season of the year.  He is faithful and all He asks of us is to be faithful in return.  He suffered and died to pay the price for our sins.  He offers us eternal life if we will believe and live our life for Him. 

Hosanna in the highest.

You are God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

May we welcome you into our hearts every day.

May we never neglect or offend You.

 Amen