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.