ENTRANCE OF THE MESSIAH; A CALL FOR PEACE

The Homilst, Rev. Fr. Matthew Attah

Reflection for Palm/Passion Sunday, YEAR C, by Rev. Fr. Matthew Attah

The Palm Sunday is a mixture of Sweet and Bitter Experiences, It’s a good Combination because If Your take sweet things alone you will have excess Sugar(Diabetes), on the other habd, if you take only bitter things, you will have Low Sugar level which is more Risky!

The Palm Sunday has that Sweet Bitter nature, the Sweet aspect of this sunday is the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem ..the Bitter nature is the Passion Narrative that Plays out the Condemnation, Crucifixion and eventual Death of Christ, Our Lord.

Jesus went ahead into Jerusalem, Ahead in Greek translates to “Prodomos” which means a Leader, a forerunner going forth. The reason why the word was used was because that was not first time Jesus would be going into Jerusalem.
The first time he went, not by himself but his parents was when he was born and taken to the temple for his Presentation. At the age of 12, he went to Jerusalem again not by himself but his parents Inorder to fulfil the Passover and that was when he got missing for 3 days.
But this time, he took that decision himself, it was the Appointed time, he was going to face death, not just death, but a sadific Death!
One day, we all will go to our Jerusalem(Death), How Prepared are ‘YOU’❔

As Jesus went, he sent his Disciples to get a Cult(Donkey), but how can the Master, Jesus tell his disciples he’s in need of a donkey and ask them to get it when doesn’t own one? Most probably, he must have been in touch with the owner!
What about you? Is there Anything in you Life the Master is in need of and you’ll be ready to willingly give without Compulsion❔

Jesus Riding on a donkey!

The Donkey Jesus requested for is Very Symbolic, it’s regarded as an animal – a beast of burden and is also used as a Symbol of Peace.
It was used by Non-Military personnel, symbolizing peace, therefore Jesus Rides on the Donkey into Jerusalem as the Messiah and the Prince of Peace recommended by the Prophet Isaiah and in Fulfilment of the Prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 –

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
    Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
    righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
    on a colt, the foal of a donkey”

He Comes in Humility with Salvation and Peace and Not War❕Are you a Promoter of Peace❔

Jesus going to Jerusalem to Celebrate the great Passover is also symbolic. Unlike the regular Passover the People of Israel celebrate which is a memorial of that liberative act of God to Free the people of Israel from the Oppression of the Egyptians in the Land of Slavery into the Promise Land.
Jesus was Rather going to Jerusalem to for the Great Passover where he was to Lay down his life for the World❕

On this day 30AD,Biblical Historians record that there were two Processions, one was Jesus sitting on a donkey symbolizing PEACE, while on the Western part, there was the Procession of Pontious Pilate Coming on a horse with a Legion of Army symbolizing WAR because he knew the Passover was a political gathering and never wanted a chance whereby the Jews will topple the the Seating Government!
Where do you belong, Peace or War❓

Pope Francis kisses the feet of the two Rival Sudan Warring Leaders

There’s this trending Video of the Holy See, His holiness, Pope Francis, kissing the feet of the Sudan Leaders, President Salva Kir Mayadit and Vice President Delegates- Riek Machar And Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior inorder to restore Peace among them. There’s more to that Gesture.
If you watch Pope Francis Very well, you’ll discover that at liturgical Celebrations(Mass,etc), he find it difficult to genuflect because he has only one Kidney (Gave the other out to save the life of a person). Kneeling Down to kiss their feet is a Laudable Uncommon Gesture for the promotion of Peace. “To you three, who have signed a Peace agreement”, the Pope Said, ” I ask as a brother that you remain in Peace”.

Rev. Fr. Matthew Attah and some Liturgical Functionaries during the Palm Sunday Procession!

The Use of palms today is a symbol of victory of the spirit over the flesh, we are telling the world that We are Victorious just as Christ will be Victorious over Death on Easter Sunday.
We’re also prophesying that we shall flourish just as the Palm fronds and the Palm tree itself flourishes and ‘Over-Useful’.
We could get quite a number of the things from the Palm Leaves…such as soaps,Broom, basket and Palm oil, Palmwine and palm nuts,etc from the Palm tree.
The Palms also reveals the human duplicity just as it could be wet and dry, people who believers today hailing Jesus as the Messiah will become Betrayers on Good Friday❗
Judas Betrayed Jesus, for just 30 pieces of silver, an equivalent of $15‼

Today is the Day to recognize that Christ, the Messiah has Come. We are presented with a Choice to make….
Are You ready to recognize him in your Life❔✝

PHOTO SPLASH

Photo Excerpts from the Palm Sunday Procession at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church Baruwa


SUNDAY SCHOOL CORNER!

After a Lively Session of Praises and Worship the Children took the Readings for the day – The first Reading,  Second while the Passion Narrative and the Church’s Celebration was Explained by one of the Coordinators, Mrs Akinbolaji.
She emphasized on the Significance of Jesus triumphant entry and how Jesus was preparing for his Death on Good Friday
Some Questions arose which led to interactions, some of which were:
– What did Jesus ask For to ride into Jerusalem?
– Where did he get it From?
Two Songs were taught – Thank you Jesus by Bernice and Ride on Ride on His Majesty….
The memory Verse of the Week is Luke 19:38
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

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