With Opened Bible - Sunday of Passion

Today, we celebrate the Sunday of the Passion of Christ, or Palm Sunday. This day reminds us of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem amidst the popular acclamations of Hosanna. What is the significance of this Sunday?

This event is the fulfillment of a very ancient prophecy: That of the Prophet Zechariah who said: "Exult greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! Behold: your king* is coming to you, a righteous savior is he, Humble, riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." (Zechariah 9:9) By entering Jerusalem on a donkey, Jesus fulfills this prophecy and identifies himself with the descendant of David, the King before whom all doors open. "Lift your heads, O gates; be lifted up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may enter." (Psalm 24:7). Unfortunately, this humble and loving King would not be welcome in the hearts of Jews and the imperial government. He would be judged doubly: Religiously by the Sanhedrin condemning him for proclaiming that he was the Son of God (cf. John 10:33; 19:7) and politically because he had made himself King. (cf. John 18:33). Both accusations would lead him to the gallows, and death would follow. Passion Sunday reminds us of the decisive moment of our salvation in Jerusalem, the city that killed the prophets. (cf. Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34).

But it is also this Sunday that opens us to the hope of Easter, a time of joy and anticipation, since without the Passion and suffering of the Cross, there would be no resurrection at Easter.