Lectio Exegesis: Palm Sunday

Lc 19, 28-40

As Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a colt, he is fulfilling the prophecy in

Zechariah 9: 9. The people greeted him as though he were an earthly
king; they were sure he would end the Roman occupation and
Jerusalem would again be a Jewish city. They shouted, Blessed and
"Hosanna," which means "save us," contained in Psalm 118: 26.In the
Passion narrative, however, another crowd, the majority of whom were
the same people of Jerusalem, cried: "Crucify him!". The contradiction
is apparent and it suffices to look within ourselves to find its source.
There was a growing conviction among the people that the messianic
times had now arrived, first through the Baptist's testimony, then
through the words and signs performed by Jesus, especially because of
the raising of Lazarus, which had occurred a few days before the entry
into Jerusalem. This is why, when Jesus arrives in the city riding on a
young ass, the crowd greets him with a burst of joy: "Blessed be the
king who comes in the name of the Lord, peace in heaven, and glory
on high!". As he enters Jerusalem, Jesus knows that the rejoicing by
some in the crowd is leading him into the heart of the "mysterium" of
salvation. He is aware that he is going to his death and will not receive
a royal crown, but one of thorns.
Holy Week begins with the "Hosanna!" of Palm Sunday and culminates
in the "Crucify him!" of Good Friday. The palm of triumph and the cross
of the Passion: this is not a contradiction; rather, it is the heart of the
mystery of redemption. Jesus gave himself up voluntarily in the
Passion; he was not crushed by forces greater than himself. It was Him
who, in discerning the Father's will, understood that his hour had come
and he accepted it with the free obedience of the Son and with infinite
love for mankind. Jesus brought our sins to the Cross and our sins
brought Jesus to the Cross. He freely faced crucifixion and in death was
triumphant.
Jesus did not understand his earthly existence as a search for power or
as a race for success. On the contrary, he gave up the privileges of his
equality with God, took the form of a servant, became like men and
was obedient to the Father's plan unto death on the cross.