Music & the Spoken Word: ‘This is Jesus’ More than two millennia ago, as Jesus approached Jerusalem, a crowd gathered to greet Him. They spread their cloaks and palm branches on the road, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” When He entered the city, the people hailed Him as the prophet of Nazareth, declaring, “This is Jesus!” (Matthew 21:9–11). This moment, now known as Palm Sunday, marked a pivotal point in His journey. The crowd’s cry of “hosanna,” meaning “save now,” reflected their hope that the Messiah would deliver them from Roman rule. They had heard of His miracles and believed He had arrived to fulfill their longings for liberation. Yet, as Jesus surveyed Jerusalem, He wept over the city’s future, knowing that many who had cheered Him would soon call for His crucifixion. The crowd’s misunderstanding of His mission foreshadowed the conflict that would follow. Jesus’ suffering, though painful, was part of God’s plan to offer eternal freedom to all humanity. Through His sacrifice, He atoned for the sins of the world, ensuring that every person would have the opportunity to live again. Today, the word “hosanna” retains its original meaning of “save now,” but it has also evolved into an expression of joyful praise. It acknowledges the triumph of Jesus over sin and death, inviting believers to raise their voices in gratitude and hope. The cry of the crowd on Palm Sunday echoes through history, reminding us that Jesus is both the Savior of the world and the King of kings. The scriptures promise that when Jesus returns, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess His divinity. The question once asked in Jerusalem—“Who is this?”—will be answered beyond doubt: “This is Jesus—the Son of God, the Savior of the world.#christianity #palm_sunday #jesus #matthew #hosanna
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion: The Face of Betrayal Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, setting the stage for the Easter triduum. The liturgy features a procession, the waving of blessed palms or greenery, and the chanting of "Hosanna," creating a sense of celebration and triumph. Yet this joy is quickly tempered by the narrative of Jesus' suffering. This year’s readings come from Matthew’s account, while John’s version is used on Good Friday. The shift from jubilation to anguish raises questions about the purpose of Palm Sunday. It is not about triumph but the fragility of human loyalty. The Passion narrative is deeply intertwined with themes of betrayal. Jesus’ final days reveal layers of betrayal rooted in the human psyche. This betrayal leaves a lingering sense of disappointment and wounds that words cannot mend. It is striking that Jesus chose to embrace this reality, enduring hunger, fatigue, misunderstanding, and suffering, alongside moments of joy. His acceptance of betrayal underscores his deep connection to human experience. Judas Iscariot is the quintessential symbol of betrayal, yet he is not alone. Peter, despite his earlier bold declaration that he would never abandon Jesus, denied him three times out of fear. The other disciples fled when danger arose, their loyalty crumbling under pressure. Peter’s denial was particularly painful because of his earlier confidence, which contrasted sharply with his fear-driven actions. The crowd’s shift from shouting "Hosanna" to demanding Jesus’ crucifixion highlights the fickle nature of human loyalty. This transformation is unsettling, revealing how quickly devotion can turn to rejection. History offers examples of forgiveness in the face of betrayal.#nelson_mandela #palm_sunday #jesus #judas_iscariot #st_josephine_bakhita
Holy Week 2026 Begins with Palm Sunday This Weekend Holy Week 2026 starts on Palm Sunday, March 29, and culminates in Easter Sunday on April 5. This annual observance marks the final week of Jesus’s life as described in the Bible, with each day commemorating a key event leading to his crucifixion and resurrection. The 40-day Lenten period, which began on Ash Wednesday, concludes on Holy Thursday, April 2. Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week, honors Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. According to the Gospels, he rode into the city on a donkey, with crowds laying down palm branches and cloaks to welcome him as a king. This event is detailed in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 21. Modern celebrations often include receiving palm branches or crosses at church services, symbolizing joy and reverence for Christ’s arrival. The Holy Week calendar for 2026 outlines the following days: Holy Monday (March 30): Marks Jesus’s cleansing of the temple, where he drove out merchants and declared it a “house of prayer.” Holy Tuesday (March 31): Recalls Jesus’s final teachings in Jerusalem, including his prophecy about the temple’s destruction. Holy Wednesday (April 1): Known as “Spy Wednesday,” this day commemorates Judas Iscariot’s agreement to betray Jesus to religious authorities. Holy Thursday (April 2): Also called “Maundy Thursday,” it honors the Last Supper, where Jesus shared his final meal with disciples, instituted the Eucharist, and predicted his arrest. Good Friday (April 3): Commemorates Jesus’s crucifixion, a central event in Christian theology. Holy Saturday (April 4): Marks Jesus’s burial in a tomb, as described in the Gospels. Easter Sunday (April 5): Celebrates Jesus’s resurrection, as recounted in the New Testament.#easter_sunday #holy_week_2026 #palm_sunday #lenten_period #holy_thursday
