“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” (John 12:13)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today, we enter into the solemn and triumphant feast of our Lord’s entry into Jerusalem—Palm Sunday, or as it is known in the Byzantine tradition, the Feast of the Triumphal Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem. This is not only a celebration of Christ’s kingship but also a profound moment of preparation for the mystery of His Passion and Resurrection.
A King Unlike Any Other
As we hear in the Gospel, our Lord does not enter Jerusalem as an earthly conqueror. He does not come with soldiers or weapons, but on a humble donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah:
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9)
The people greet Him with palm branches and shouts of “Hosanna!”, recognizing Him as the Messiah. And yet, in a few short days, these same voices will cry out, “Crucify Him!” How quickly human hearts can change when expectations are not met!
The Path of Humility and Suffering
Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem is not simply a moment of glory—it is the beginning of the road to the Cross. The palms we hold today are signs of victory, but they remind us that true victory comes not through force but through sacrifice. Our Lord will conquer not by taking life but by giving His own.
Palm Sunday calls us to reflect on our own response to Christ. Do we welcome Him into our lives with sincerity, or do we reject Him when following Him becomes difficult? Are we faithful only when it is easy, or will we remain with Him in the trials of Holy Week?
From Palms to Resurrection
This feast is a doorway into Great and Holy Week. The same Lord who enters Jerusalem today in triumph will be betrayed, abandoned, and crucified. But this is not the end—His passion leads to the empty tomb. The palms we hold today are not only a sign of Christ’s victory but also a call for us to follow Him in faithfulness, through suffering, and into the joy of Pascha.
So let us cry out with true and unwavering hearts:
“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
Amen.
