Hosanna and how to rise with Jesus


Palm Sunday

Matthew 26:14-27:66

"Hosanna" comes from the Hebrew word "hoshiya na" which means, "Lord, save!"

However, there was a shift in definition from pleading to thanksgiving.  In Psalm 118: 26, it says, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

Perhaps, as we hold our palms, let these two definitions come to mind: "Lord, save us!" and immediately "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord".  These palms would help us remember how the the Jews waved palm branches and placed them at the feet of Jesus while he rode a donkey which is the symbol of humility and service.  Indeed, God is saving us right now!

The gospel gives us something to reflect on this entire Holy Week on how God will save us in Jesus Christ.  Remember the following:

Like the Corona virus invading every country, household, and body, sin is also in the  very fabric of our being.  It was found in the very household of Jesus as Judas already contemplated how to betray Jesus.  No one is exempt from sin and sinful inclinations.

But the rest is Jesus' action, not ours.  And the key to Jesus' saving action is his obedience to the Father, "Not my will but yours be done." He might want the cup to pass by, but doing the Father's will is far greater than any other thing in the world.  Obedience means the Jesus be subjected tot he cruelty and violence of sin.  Obedience means dying to self.  Obedience is definitely in rising up again.  And from here we shall also conquer.

My final question for us:  What good thing does this covid-19 do to us?  How can we rise above this malady?  Let's counteract sin by continuing to love, to obey, and to serve our Lord.  In Jesus, we shall rise again!

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