Life as we know it, has its highs and lows and we see our Lord going through similar circumstances in today’s readings. He is accepted and exalted one day and rejected and crucified the next. Today as we celebrate Palm Sunday and begin our journey through Holy week, we commemorate the final days of the life of our Saviour.

It is important to remember that this is not merely a celebration of a historical event, but this is the celebration of our story here and now. As we struggle with our human weakness, our Lord carries it and nails it onto the Cross every single time. As we cry out caught up in the world, our Lord is right there beside us, accompanying us along. When we fall into the trap of believing that God is against us, our Lord assures us otherwise, through his humble obedience to the Father’s will.

We may be enjoying the privileges of high recognition and acceptance in society or may be hiding away from a world that had treated us cruelly. No matter where we are today, we are called to draw consolation and strength from our Lord who had gone through it all and emerged victorious. Along with attending the liturgies during Holy week, we are also invited to place ourselves in the midst of the story that is unfolding over the next few days.

Where am I in all the action? Do I see myself cheering the Lord as he enters the city of Jerusalem or do I simply pass him by, too busy to pay any attention? Am I among the angry mob who shouts ‘crucify him’ or among the fearful disciples who ran away into hiding? Am I too conscious of the opinion of others and try to please them like Pilate did? Do I recognise the Lord for who he really is as he stumbles under the weight of the cross? Am I ready to step up to help him carry his cross or do I go about my own business?

The answers to these questions should not cause feelings of guilt within our hearts or make us hang our heads in shame but rather be a call to action and conversion. The upcoming week would bring us ample opportunities to turn our lives around in the right direction and let us pray for the grace to be open to this leading of the Spirit.

“Let us think about someone who…injured, offended or disappointed us…How often we spend time looking back on those who have wronged us! Today, Jesus teaches us not to remain there, but…to break the vicious circle of evil and sorrow…As disciples of Jesus, do we follow the Master or do we follow our own desire to strike back?” (Pope Francis)

Prayer: Abba Father, may we enter the Holy Week with deep faith and experience a conversion of heart. Amen.