by Jose Kurian Puliyeril

Gospel Reading: St. John 12: 12-19

The great procession welcoming our Lord to the God's Temple was on the initiative and interest of much people who had come to the feast when they heard of the possibility of our Lord's arrival to Jerusalem. We often join the processions when the compulsion of the Vicar could not be neglected. The people who participated the procession welcoming our Lord for His triumphant entry to Jerusalem willingly went forth to our Lord carrying the branches of the palm trees and crying: "Hosanna, Blessed is the King of Israel who comes in the name of the Lord."

They had the faith that He is the mighty savior. That is why they uttered "Hosanna" which literally means "save us". These days the term Hosanna is used as a word to praise. When we would use Hosanna on the Palm Sunday, we must use it keeping the real meaning in our mind. It must be our earnest prayer and supplication. Let this year's Palm Sunday service bring a transformation in our spiritual lives. Let us pray sincerely to save us from our sins and iniquities. Let us also feel His presence among us searching for each and every one of us. The faith of the people who participated the great reception of our Lord that He has come from Lord God was so staunch and solid. King Solomon has foretold this in Psalms 72: 17-19, where we read, "His name shall endure for ever, his name shall be continued as long as the sun and men shall be blessed in him, all nations shall him blessed. Blessed be the Lord God the God of Israel, who only does wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name forever and let the earth be filled with his glory." In 1 Timothy 1:17 it is said "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen"

By sitting on the Ass, our Lord proved that He is the real shepherd, who has come in search of the lost sheep of Israel offering the salvation as prophesied by Isaiah and Zechariah. (Isaiah 62:11 and Zechariah 9:9) St Luke says that our Lord had sent two of his disciples to bring the young ass from the village opposite to Mount Olives. Our Lord instructed them to say "our Lord has need of him" if some one might ask "why you take this ass". Ass is the real companion of the shepherds. Let us pray earnestly to take us also as our Lord selected the ass to complete His mission. May our Lord God select us also in the place of the Ass, so that we all could carry Him and help him in carrying out His mission.