Though he has no guilt at all, Jesus deigns to suffer for us sinners.  He thus lets us know that God loves us so much.

Jesus goes up to Jerusalem to suffer and so enter into glory.  But, surely, it does not cross the minds of those who greet him with “Hosannas” that he will suffer.

Indeed, how could the one they take to be the anointed heir to the throne of his father, David, suffer?  Rather than suffer, the triumphant Messiah will make the enemies of the Jews suffer.

Excited and enthused, those who hail Jesus do not grasp that he comes lowly and peaceful.  For he does not ride on a spirited horse of war but on a calm ass.  But we can forgive them for not understanding.  For they do not know what we know.  And we know it since Matthew tells us that this takes place so that Zech 9, 9 may come true.

Yes, the revelation we receive is that Jesus the Messiah King of David’s line is the Lord’s Suffering Servant.  The Lord is the Servant’s help.  And that is why the latter can suffer outrages and set his face like flint.  That is why he seeks not his will but the Father’s will.  So, he obeys to the point of death, even death on the cross; he gives up his body and sheds his blood since he loves us so much. 

Still and all, we find it hard to take seriously the revelation we receive.  Not rarely do we drink in the words of those who urge us to be realistic and not naïve.  That is to say, to admit that “Jesus Christ has no advantage over Genghis Khan.”  To put in doubt and to take as utopia the teaching:  God is love and the fundamental law of human perfection and of the transformation of the world is the new commandment of love (GS 38).

Lord Jesus, grant us to go up to Jerusalem with you, so that we may suffer with you and enter into glory with you.  And, like you, may we love with the strength of our arms and the sweat of our brows (SV.EN XI:32).  And not only in great things, but also, and above all, in the ordinary circumstances of life (GS 38).

29 March 2026
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion (A)
Mt 21, 1-11; Is 50, 4-7; Phil 2, 6-11; Mt 26, 14 – 27, 66