In the Holy Week we change a little the previous rhythm. Scripture interpretations will be more meditative and somewhat shorter.
“Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who is coming in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heavens!” (Mt 21:9)
The people are gathered, and for a short time that which corresponds to the reality of the coming of the Son of God is happening: He is received with rejoicing and joy, the people receive their true King, their Messiah, the one long promised!
“Say to the daughter of Zion: Look, your king is approaching, humble and riding on a donkey and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden” (Mt 21:5).
How differently the Lord of heaven and earth comes! He has no need of external splendour, although everything would be his due. He testifies to the love of his Father and comes in his mission to glorify God and to redeem men.
What does the Lord of heaven and earth need?
He only needs open hearts that can receive him and to which he can give the gifts of God. He does not come to collect taxes like the kings of the earth. Nor does he look for soldiers to fight for or defend his rights.
No, he is looking for the lost sheep of Israel (cf. Mt 15:24) and for the lost humanity. His power is the power of love. But love does not need any means to impress people. It does not need a staging, it comes with him and is in him.
Blessed is he who does not close his heart and let God enter.
The people who cheered him in Jerusalem, they have well felt what is happening and have grasped it.
“Great crowds of people spread their cloaks on the road, while others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in his path.” (Mt 21:8).
Even if it were to be the case that some of them might later belong to the crowd who – incited – wanted the Lord’s death: At that moment they recognized the reality of God and gave Him glory.
“Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who is coming in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heavens!” (Mt 21:9b)
Everywhere in the Christian world people think of this event at the beginning of the Holy Week. Normally in Jerusalem is a solemn procession following the path that Jesus took at that time. Wherever the procession takes place, it is testified that Jesus is not only the King of Israel, but the true King of all men, and that He reigns in those who have opened their hearts to Him.
“Mine is not a kingdom of this world” (Jn 18:36), he later says to Pilate; it is a kingdom that never passes away, a kingdom where love and justice reign, where all men truly become brothers and sisters, children of a beloved and loving Father. It is his kingdom to which he calls us all!
Let us praise him and give him our heart!