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"Hosanna Filio David: Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini, Rex
Israel..."
All the ceremonies of Palm Sunday
the blessings of the palms, the procession, and the sung Hosannas, are
instituted by Holy Mother Church to recall that triumphant entrance of
Christ into Jerusalem on that day. He is truly the King of Kings and Lord
of Lords Who is deserving not only of these holy palms being placed before
Him in praise, but of our hearts and minds submitting to His Holy Rule and
His Most Sweet Yoke. But know that within a few days these Hosannas were
replaced by blasphemies and insults
give us Barabbas
crucify Him...
from palm branches to whips and cat-o-nine tails
from being placed on a beast of burden to being thrown down upon a Cross
from garments being laid before His path to His garments being divided and
lots being cast for His vesture
from being hailed as king to being crucified as a slave
we have no king but Caesar.
In the Old Mass or the Old Latin Rite of
the Roman Catholic Church a very symbolic thing was done during the
procession. The priest, deacon, altar boys, and the people would march
towards the Church with their branches. When they came to the front doors
of the temple, they found them closed while angelic hymns were heard from
within. The Cross bearer would then knock against the doors of the Church
with the bottom of the processional cross. Yes, open these doors. O
gates, lift high your heads grow higher ancient doors. Let Him enter, the
King of Glory.
You see, the procession of Christ into the
Old Jerusalem is really a symbolic entrance into the heavenly Jerusalem.
For thousands of years, the gates of heaven were closed to the human race
after the fall of Adam. Only a New Adam could open what was closed. Christ
is the one and only Savior of the human race. God has destined us for
acquiring salvation through our Lord, Jesus Christ
there is no other name given to men under heaven than that of Jesus by
which we are to be saved
I am the Way, He stated, and no one, no one comes to the Father but
through Me. Christ is the one and only Shepherd that can lead the
flock to the verdant pastures. He is the one and only General Who can lead
the troops through the Arch of Triumph. He is the one and only Physician
Who can heal fallen man.
But the doors, the gates of heaven would
only be opened by the key of His Cross. Only by striking against those
doors with the Holy Wood of the Cross could they be thrown open. As we
enter into the most Holy Week in the Church's calendar, let us who honor
our King and Lord today, not reject Him on Good Friday. Let us as members
of the New Israel, the People of God which is the Catholic Church, not
reject Him as did the People of God in the Old Testament by enlarge
He came unto His own and His own received Him not. May we who vowed
at Baptism to reject Satan and Sin and to embrace Christ and His Holy
Cross, live out this commitment until we pass through those same heavenly
gates.
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