Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

“When the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took palm branches and went out to meet him, and cried out “Hosanna! “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel.” Jesus found an ass and sat upon it, as is written: Fear no more, O daughter Zion; see, your king comes, seated upon an ass’s colt. His disciples did not understand this at first, but when Jesus had been glorified they remembered that these things were written about him and that they had done this for him.” -John 12:12-16

Every Palm Sunday, I wonder how the crowd could quickly change from triumphant adoration for their King to shouts of “Crucify Him, Crucify Him.” Even as a child, I hated reading those words out loud on Palm Sunday and again on Good Friday. But today, when I read those words out loud in disgust, a voice spoke to me.

You accept Him as your King, but even knowing what you know, you still choose to sin. Every time you willingly sin, your cry of Hosanna becomes a cry of Crucify Him, Crucify Him.

Heavenly Father, we ask for the grace always to keep your song of praise on our lips and the strength to avoid all the temptations of sin. With your help, may we never again shout out a condemnation of you. 

Saint Catherine of Sweden, pray for us.

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Jesus, I trust in you!