St Matthew, in describing the events of Palm Sunday, says: "A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowd that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting `Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!' When he entered Jerusalem the whole city was in turmoil, asking, `Who is this?' The crowds were saying, `This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.' "
The Blessed Virgin Mary's answer to the question "Who is Jesus?" was her life-long devotion, all the way to the foot of the Cross. Unshaken conviction in Jesus being Messiah and Divine Son of God influenced her life all the way. It makes all the difference.
On Palm Sunday one understands the crowd's concern to know who Jesus was, and if he was the Divine Son of God - their Messiah. The whole city of Jerusalem was in a turmoil of doubt about this unique person Jesus of Nazareth's humble approach on Palm Sunday. Could he really be the Son of God, and mighty deliverer, and their Messiah?
St Luke tells us of Jesus's concern that his disciples believed him to be the Divine Son of God: "And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him; and he asked them saying, `Whom say the people that I am?' They answering said, `John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.' He said unto them, `But whom say ye that I am?' Peter answering said: `The Christ of God.' "
That was a red-letter day for St Peter when he said "The Christ of God". It is so for all of us when we are convinced and eager for all of us to have the same experience in belief: that Jesus, the Christ of God, is actually God with us now. On Good Friday, not Bad Friday, we concentrate on the person at the centre of the passion story, rather than on the details of evil around Christ and His Cross, important as they are. We long to be convinced for ourselves and others of Christ and His stupendous message.
It makes all the difference in observing Holy Week to concentrate, to persist seriously in noticing everything Jesus said and did until we see it is God speaking and expressing His unique love. It makes all the difference. We pray for it to happen to us and others.
It is never too late to turn to Christ. We see it happening in the conversation between Jesus and those on crosses beside Him. They were impressed by Jesus. It made all the difference, moving one of them to see Divine kingliness in Christ. "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy Kingdom." We notice that only God could speak the words of such authority in His reply: "Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise."
It made all the difference.
W.W.