Greetings on this the Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Readings: Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22; Psalm 34:17-18, 19-20, 21 and 23; John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30
Summary
Two Entries into Jerusalem – One in Secret; one proclaimed.
The Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near. But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret.
The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road. The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.” And when he entered Jerusalem the whole city was shaken and asked, “Who is this?” And the crowds replied, “This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee. (Jn 7:2, 10; Mt 21:8-10).
Reflection
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted (Ps 34:19a).
The ‘secret’ entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is exactly 10 days before his very public Triumphant entry.
We allow the Wisdom of God to help us go from seeing Jesus as secret (hidden, undefined) to known and revered.
- For some, they sought the cruelest methods to test him and reject him.
- For others they wish to measure the closeness of the Lord.
10 days to decide: Hosanna or Crucify!
Personal Reflection
Lord may these next ten days be a time of discovery and wonder. Not as a testing of the Lord but as revelation on how we are loved and watched over.
May this be the praise on our lips:
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
Many are the troubles of the just man,
but out of them all the LORD delivers him.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032026.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry