Lent- a time of grace shifts our focus from the ordinary to the extraordinary, from the transitory to what is everlasting, from what is insignificant to what is of consequence, in ourselves and in the lives of our fellow pilgrims. As we enter Holy Week, we inch closer to the cross and eagerly await the resurrection. Let us sit in this final week of Lent, in God's invitation to a greater awareness in ourselves and of those around us.

Gospel: Mk 11:1-10

Let us ponder on some of the highlights of today’s Gospel 1. Jesus rides on a lowly donkey: In those days, kings used to travel in such processions on horseback during wartime but preferred to ride a donkey in times of peace. Since the sign of a king was humility, the customary mount for a king in procession in Israel was a donkey. 2. A king’s reception: Jesus was given the royal reception usually reserved for a King or military commander. 3. The slogans used: The participants sang the “Hallel” Psalm (Psalm 118), and shouted the words of Psalms 25 and 26. The Greek word “hosiana” originally meant "save us now" (II Samuel 14:4). The people sang the entire Psalm 118 on the Feast of the Tabernacles when they marched seven times around the Altar of the Burnt Offering. On Palm Sunday, however, the people used the prayer “Hosanna” as a slogan of greeting. It meant “God save the King of Israel.” 4. The symbolic meaning of the Palm Sunday procession: Nearly 25,000 lambs were sacrificed during the feast of the "Pass Over," but the lamb which was to be sacrificed by the High Priest was taken to the Temple in a procession four days before the main feast day. On Palm Sunday, Jesus, the true Paschal Lamb, was also taken to the Temple in a large procession. 5. Reaction of Jesus: Before the beginning of the procession, Jesus wept over Jerusalem, and when the procession was over, He cleansed the Temple. On the following day, He cursed a barren fig tree.

Life Lessons from these highlights 1. Jesus teaches us to be humble. He invites us into his kingdom of peace, joy and happiness through his act of triumphant entry into Jerusalem on a donkey’s back. 2. Ultimately, he calls us to know him well, love him dearly and follow him closely. 3. Hundreds of people sang his praises as he entered Jerusalem but these same people will abandon and deny him in a few days’ time and will shout ignominious slogans of ‘Crucify him’ 4. Jesus tries to point out himself as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. 5. Jesus knows he has very less time left so he fastens his prophetic ministerial actions.

Let us conclude with the prayer for generosity by St. Ignatius of Loyola. Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous; teach me to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to seek reward, except that of knowing that I do your will. Amen

Have a blessed Palm Sunday