Dear Friends,

      Having visited the Holy Land just a little over a year ago, I have a newfound appreciation for the Gospels.  In particular, I am struck by the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, which we commemorate today in this celebration of Passion or Palm Sunday.  Jesus would have come to Jerusalem along the road leading down the Mount of Olives.  This most likely means that the people, rather than waving just palm branches, would have probably or even more likely broken off branches from nearby olive trees that lined the way.

   In the Holy Land of today, young children approach tourists trying to sell little olive tree clippings to any who might take the bait.  But the road coming down the Mount of Olives offers an incredible sight of Jerusalem.  From that vantage point, one can see the walls of the city, with the famous Eastern Gate as a prominent feature.  This gate is currently sealed up.  It is said that when the Lord comes again that the gate will be reopened.  The golden “Dome of the Rock” rises out of the temple mount and the layers and textures of the ancient city’s buildings and houses with their white stone walls give a kind of sacral feel to the sight.

   It must have been a wonderful sight for the Lord to behold.  Seeing this city and all the people shouting and waving branches certainly would have lifted his heart.  Yet looking upon the city must have also left a lump in his throat and an uneasy feeling in his stomach knowing that he was approaching the end of his earthly ministry.  What weight the Lord carried on his shoulders!

   It is significant that Jesus comes into Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, for from olives comes oil, and oil is reminiscent of anointing.  Jesus is the Anointed One who will redeem the world.  As Jesus approaches his passion, he carries the weight of the world’s sin upon his shoulders.  This is a day and a holy week in which it would behoove us to reflect upon what Christ has accomplished for us through his passion, death, and resurrection.  I encourage you to keep this week in a solemn fashion.  I urge you to attend all of our Holy Week services so that you may enter more deeply into the mystery.  Take the time to devote to Jesus out of gratitude for what he has done for you!  God bless!

Fr. Paul