Gospel Reflections for March 20 2016
Walking the whole story
This Sunday recalls Jesus entering Jerusalem riding on a donkey amidst a cheering crowd. It is only a few days before the Feast of Passover. But His was not the only big entrance that day.
Just a few hundred yards away there was another procession. Several thousand sheep were led into Jerusalem through the aptly named “Sheep Gate.” They were to be sacrificed in the upcoming Passover services and arrived early to be inspected for worthiness. Only an “unblemished” sheep could be used.
These sheep were from flocks that were raised in fields just south of Jerusalem …in the Bethlehem area.
This simultaneous scene would not be lost on the crowd, as they see Jesus of Bethlehem enter Jerusalem at the same time as the sheep from Bethlehem. Ironically, Jesus is also “inspected” by, of all people, Pilate, who declares after speaking with Our Lord, “I find no fault in this man!” Jesus would be sacrificed at the same time as the sheep a few days later on Good Friday.
The crowd also noticed that Jesus enters Jerusalem …riding a donkey!
While that might sound strange to us, all would know the meaning then, since everyone would have known the Old Testament verse, “Behold, your king comes to you, triumphant and victorious. He is humble and riding on an ass” (Zachariah 9:9). After all, they were waiting for this “King” for some time! Jesus is signaling to even the Roman rulers that He is now in charge!
These events set up a lot of expectations. The crowd sees that He arrives alongside the Temple sacrificial sheep and His provocative arrival that challenges Rome. What will happen?
We know what happens, since we hear the entire account in today’s Gospel. Yet, just hearing all this is not really enough. How about we walk alongside Jesus as well?
This week, make time to attend Holy Thursday services in your parish, and walk with Jesus as He enters the Last Supper room for the Institution of the Eucharist. Walk with Him to the Garden of Gethsemane for a final night of intense and emotional prayer to His Father in Heaven. Walk with Him as He is arrested and taken back to Jerusalem for trial. Walk with Him on Good Friday on His Way of the Cross to Calvary and placement in His tomb. Finally, make sure you walk with Him at His glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Remember the very first words Jesus spoke to His disciples. He said, “Follow me!” Those words remain the simplest definition of our faith, and there is no better time to fulfill them than to walk with Our Lord during this Holy Week.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Thank you Fr. Dave,
This coming week is so beautiful, as I think it brings us so close to Jesus and what He did for us!
It is filled with mixed emotions, joy and sorrow and back to Joy on Easter.
May you be Blessed with an Easter filled with Joy.
Your South Eastern follower,
Rita
I wish for you all the blessings of this Holy Week!
Well said and revealed Father Dave
Yes, walking and following Jesus this week is profound, sad and joyful all in one week ! Thank you for your insight.
God bless you
May you have a very blessed Holy Week!
Dear Father Dave, Your words are sooooooooooooooo beautiful expressing our precious faith of love and joy and sacrifice!!! We will walk and follow Jesus and become one with him for He is pure love!!! Love our precious faith, love our amazing God of Love, love our loving Jesus and His beautiful mother Mary!!! We are all so beautifully blessed with our faith and our precious Jesus and you with your precious priesthood!!!
Happy Easter filled with Jesus, love and joy!!!
Loveeeeee, Franca and Dick
Thank you!
How powerful. Thank you Father Dave!
Happy Easter!
Are we all jut sheep going along with the crowd? Or will we look to Jesus for the Shepherds crook to guide us on the right path . Help us to see the suffering all around us. Shall we walk with Jesus not just this next week but everyday? Thank you Fr. Dave for always presenting the gospel in a way that is always applicable to our ordinary present day life. Carol
Yes, that is always a good question to ask; who do we follow? This week is a reminder to follow the Good Shepherd. Happy Easter!
Thank you for the inspiring commentary. This is a truly the exact time to walk the “Way of the Cross”. As you say, Jesus went the way of a sheep being led to the slaughter. How narrow are our minds to believe that God wants us to sacrifice an animal that He has given us in order to get His favor. But on the other hand, we are animals, created by Him, and He wants us to recognize Him as our Father who loves us. We sacrifice ourselves with Him so that we may rise with Him in our time.
I am really hyped up about the Easter Vigil and the coming to life of our catecumens.
We are always inspired to watch people enter the Church on Holy Saturday. It was my favorite event all year!
I like your commentary of walking with Jesus each day of Holy Week.,
commemorating what He has done for us.
This, above all weeks, is the time to walk with Him.
Your reflection game me more to thnk about.. I was busy trying to think how I would have reacted when questioned like Peter. Tough one, You really brought it toether with the sheep coming in, etc.
When Peter kept denying Jesus and Jesus just looked at him, boy what conviction.m and yet afterwards in another Gospel he gets them back on track. What love and forgiveness. Of course in this Peter had obviously repented and was so sorry . It is a necessary part of being forgiven like the man on the cross.
There is so much on this Gospel. Lots to think about
I am glad you found the article thought provoking!
Thank you for showing us another aspect of the gospel story. Jesus was found to be “unblemished” but was “sacrificed.” Not the course of action for humans . . . our beloved Lamb of God!
Let us hope that this Easter will bring more peace to our world!
Dear Father Dave,
You and your website have provided me with strength during a very difficult time in my life, Thank you!
Holy Week is a sad time that, fortunately leads us to the happiest time in our faith. But even in this sad time it shows us and proves to us God’s unfaltering love for each and every one, faithful and unfaithful alike. Oh, if we all could be more like Jesus in our daily lives. I look forward to sharing Christ’s passion and his love for us and for his glorious resurrection.
May God bless you and keep you,
Bob
Thank you for you heartfelt message! Please be assured of my prayers for you this Holy Week.
At this time 11 years ago, Dad was preparing to cook Easter dinner. He had just gone to Costco and eagerly awaited the arrival of our cousins from Washington. In the early hours of Good Friday morning, he passed quietly in his sleep, Mom by his side. Dad’s funeral, as everything else about him, was rather unconventional. It was held at a nondenominational church but Mom found a priest (also a recent convert to Catholicism) that was willing to overlook the bureaucratic differences to say mass for us. The priest (unaware of Dad’s background as an auto mechanic and body shop owner) delivered an outstanding homily on death and how it is simply transition. He said when his car had finally broken down and he was forced to buy a new one, his parishioners worried when they didn’t see him driving around town as he usually did. The priest said, “I’m still here; you just didn’t recognize me in my new vehicle.” What a great metaphor for our ephemeral journey on this earth. Today Mom and I will attend mass at noon as we solemnly walk with our risen Lord and carry His Cross. May the peace of the risen Lord be with your spirit this Easter season and always.
Thank you for your beautiful story!