PALM SUNDAY RITES: Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem recalled

Today, a king humbly enters his city riding a donkey and today, his humility will be welcomed with cheers and the waving of palm fronds.

Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week and all of Christendom will mark this sixth and last Sunday of Lent with ceremonies that commemorate the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into the city of Jerusalem — the benediction of woven palm leaves, processions, Mass and the singing of the Passion.

In today’s gospel, the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey in fulfillment of the prophecy in the Book of Zechariah will be retold.

The Gospel according to Matthew reads as follows: "As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethpage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go there to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.’

"This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: ‘Say to the Daughter of Zion, "See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."’

"The disciples did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted:

"‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’

"‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’

"‘Hosanna in the highest!’

"When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked ‘Who is this?’

"The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’"

This account of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem will be reenacted in most churches today, with the priest garbed in red blessing the palms or palaspas amid incantations by the faithful of "Hosanna," which means "save us," according to Psalms 118:26.

Here, the priest asks God to bless the palm fronds and olive branches, that they may serve as talismans of protection in all places where they are brought.

The priests will ask that the right hand of God expel all adversity, bless and protect all people who dwell in homes where these branches are brought and who have been redeemed by Our Lord Jesus Christ. Burning these blessed branches produces ashes that will then be used in the next year’s Ash Wednesday rites.

Today, as the Christian faithful participate in ceremonies and liturgy, they will feel both joy and sadness as they recall that on this day, Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem hailed as a king and gave up his life to redeem all of mankind from their sins a week later, dying upon a cross.

Meanwhile, President Arroyo, her family and Cabinet members are expected to attend Palm Sunday Mass at the Malacañang Chapel.

A devout Catholic, the President has invited her Cabinet to join her on a spiritual retreat to commemorate Holy Week that will take place at the Bahay Pangarap at Malacañang Park on Tuesday. — With Aurea Calica