Today we celebrate Christ’s triumphal entrance into the holy city of Jerusalem. The crowds laid their cloaks before him and received him as a king and the hopeful fulfillment of Israel’s long wait: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord” (Lk 19:38).
Immediately upon his arrival in Jerusalem, Christ proceeded to upend the comfortable rhythm of religious practice and leadership. From the cleansing of the Temple to the famous “woe to you, scribes and Pharisees” orations, it quickly became clear that Christ brought zeal for restoring right order and casting out all corruption and hypocrisy.
Those who were open to Christ—which included the need to acknowledge the faults of their ways—were able to accompany him in the mighty work that had emblazoned his longing heart through all his earthly ministry. They would be the ones who would also share its fruits.
Those whose hearts had become hard could not receive the call to change and rejected him. These were the fickle members of the crowds and religious leadership, those who turned on him quickly as soon as they discovered he was not there to affirm their ways or do for them what they wanted.
Where do we find ourselves in that schema? Are we willing to recognize that when Christ arrives he always comes in love— but love often requires that we change? Do we prefer to simply be spectators, to sit at a distance and stay on the fence? What, within us, trembles at the idea of welcoming this king, whose zeal is for the restoration of right worship and the bestowal of an eternal inheritance?
At Mass, we hear the gospel account of Christ’s betrayal, suffering, and death. We will hear it again on Friday. The logic of this repetition is simple: We must carefully consider this mighty work. We must let it penetrate our hearts in awe and gratitude. We must let it humble us as we engage it with Christ. And we must make a decision, this Holy Week, about where we stand.
REFLECT
How has Jesus restored right order in your life? Describe how he has opened your heart, even if it is in the smallest-seeming ways. What corruption and hypocrisy has he removed?
This excerpt from Return: A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation is reprinted with permission of Ave Maria Press.
Fr. John Burns is a priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. He is the author of the bestselling books Return, Adore, and Lift Up Your Heart.
