It seems that the great Medieval Artists of our tradition were fascinated by the event we celebrate on this Passion/Palm Sunday, the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. It looks as if they let their imaginations go as they depicted Jesus, mostly looking too big for the little donkey he was riding, with the group of disciples all bunched up in bewilderment behind him. The pictures always depict kids with an excuse to climb trees, hanging from branches and throwing some down to others waiting below. Other children are like choristers obviously singing ‘Hosanna!’ There are people looking out windows in wonderment while cloaks, and even shirts, are being removed to lay down in front of Jesus and his mount.
Of course, this is a far cry from the great triumphal entries of Roman Conquerors but the feel of joy and the air of expectation and possibility shines through both the gospel account and the visuals. We know in our place and time (even with the reality of pandemic) that there is even greater reason for joyous hope than could ever be depicted by the artists…we know the end of the story. We know the nearly unbelievable reality that;
God loved the world so much
he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost
but may have eternal life.
So, let us enter again with joy this most holy of weeks and accompany Jesus in his death and resurrection, knowing, as we heard during Lent, that we and our world are already saved and receive freely the infinite richness of his grace. Let us during this Holy Week 2021 look at our world, see its wounds and suffering and be great intercessors for the healing and freedom won by Jesus.