This weekend we actually have two Gospel readings. The first recounts Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. You remember the story…the Jews welcomed Jesus as He rode into town on a colt. They put palm branches in front of Him (a sign of respect) and shouted “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. The people apparently recognized Jesus as the Messiah and were deliriously happy and considered themselves blest to see this long awaited Messiah! The second Gospel read at our liturgies is a version of the Passion and death of Jesus. It’s long…but not as long as the actual event of agony experienced by our Savior. Today’s liturgy combines contrasting moments of glory and suffering – the royal welcome given to Jesus by his followers and the drama of his unjust trial culminating in his crucifixion. What happened in the course of just a few days to change the mood of the people…and to change their voice from “Hosanna” to “Crucify Him?” Hmmmm…perhaps we might just examine our own lives to answer that question? Why is it that we can move quite quickly from devoutly attending Mass and receiving the Eucharist to verbally ripping someone to shreds as they cut us off in the parking lot after Mass.? How does it happen that we exhibit devotion during the Mass, but cannot wait to whip out of the church immediately after communion? I am at a loss! Is this just a bad habit…or does it reflect something else about us? As human beings we have a tendency to move quickly from “practicing virtue” to “practicing iniquity/apathy.” We can shrug it off to the “human condition,” I suppose, but if we do, then we shouldn’t express dismay and disgust for the people of Jesus’ day who do the same thing. As human beings, we can be fickle and unpredictable. Having our ears and hearts open to the Gospel, however, is supposed to help us move away from some of our uglier tendencies. This is one of the very purposes of Lent…to examine our lives and make adjustments so that when our time comes to meet HIM face to face, we’ll be ready and be able to hand Him all of our efforts toward goodness. Are you moving in that direction? Constantine the Great was the first Christian Roman emperor. His father Constantius I who succeeded Diocletian as emperor in 305 A.D. was a pagan with a soft heart for Christians. When he ascended the throne, he discovered that many Christians held important jobs in the government and in the court. So he issued an executive order to all those Christians: “Either give up Christ or give up your jobs.” The great majority of Christians gave up their jobs rather than disowning Christ. Only a few cowards gave up their religion rather than lose their jobs. The emperor was pleased with the majority who showed the courage of their convictions and gave their jobs back to them saying: "If you will not be true to your God you will not be true to me either.” Today we join the Palm Sunday crowd in spirit to declare our loyalty to Christ and fidelity to his teachings by actively participating in the Palm Sunday liturgy. As we carry the palm leaves to our homes, we are declaring our choice to accept Jesus as the king and ruler of our lives and our families. Let us express our gratitude to Jesus for redeeming us by his suffering and death, through active participation in the Holy Week liturgies and reconciliation service.” Gospel Homework for the Week: Are you in the Palm Sunday crowd shouting “Hosanna” or behind the crowd still trying to make up your mind for/against Jesus?