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From: Mark 11:1-10 (Gospel 1)

The Messiah Enters Jerusalem

[1] And when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at
the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, [2] and said to
them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately as you enter
it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat; untie it
and bring it. [3] If any one says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’
say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.”
[4] And they went away, and found a colt tied at the door out in the
open street; and they untied it. [5] And those who stood there said to
them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” [6] And they told them
what Jesus had said; and they let them go. [7] And they brought the
colt to Jesus, and threw their garments on it; and be sat upon it. [8]
And many spread their garments on the road, and others spread leafy
branches which they had cut from the fields. [9] And those who went
before and those who followed cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is be who
comes.in the name of the Lord! [10] Blessed is the kingdom of Our
father David that is coming! Hosanna in the highest!”

[11] And he entered Jerusalem, and went into the temple; and when he
had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out
to Bethany with the twelve.

Commentary:

1-11. Jesus had visited Jerusalem various times before, but he never
did so in this way. Previously he had not wanted to be recognized as
the Messiah; he avoided the enthusiasm of the crowd; but now he
accepts their acclaim and even implies that it is justified, by
entering the city in the style of a pacific king. Jesus’s public
ministry is about to come to a close: he has completed his mission; he
has preached and worked miracles; he has revealed himself as God
wished he should; now in this triumphant entry into Jerusalem he shows
that he is the Messiah. The people, by shouting “Blessed is he who
comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father
David that is coming!”, are proclaiming Jesus as the long-awaited
Messiah. When the leaders of the people move against him some days
later, they reject this recognition the people have given him. Cf.
notes on Mt 21:1-5 and 21:9.

3. Although, absolutely speaking, our Lord has no need of man, in fact
he does choose to use us to carry out his plans just as he made use of
the donkey for his entry into Jerusalem. “Jesus makes do with a poor
animal for a throne. I don’t know about you; but I am not humiliated
to acknowledge that in the Lord’s eyes I am a beast of burden: ‘I am
like a donkey in your presence; nevertheless I am continually with
you. You hold my right hand,’ (Ps 72:23), you take me by the bridle.

“Try to remember what a donkey is like--now that so few of them are
left. Not an old, stubborn, vicious one that would give you a kick
when you least expected, but a young one with his ears up like
antennae. He lives on a meagre diet, is hard-working and has a quick,
cheerful trot. There are hundreds of animals more beautiful, more deft
and strong. But it was a donkey Christ chose when he presented himself
to the people as king in response to their acclamation. For Jesus has
no time for calculations, for astuteness, for the cruelty of cold
hearts, for attractive but empty beauty. What he likes is the
cheerfulness of a young heart, a simple step, a natural voice, clean
.eyes, attention to his affectionate word of advice. That is how he
reigns in the soul” ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 181).

Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text
taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries
made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of
Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland.

Meditation - Christ's Last Days
Every person who loves Christ now tries his best to remain close to his suffering Savior during the last hours of His earthly life. The liturgy places us directly in the midst of the recorded events and expects us to participate. During these next days, therefore, we will traverse each road with Jesus.

Yesterday (Friday) He came with His disciples from the desert village of Ephrem to Jericho. When near the Jordan we heard from His lips the third prophecy of the crucifixion. Then Salome approached with her two sons, John and James, and begged important positions for them in the coming kingdom. This gave Jesus the opportunity to proclaim His wonderful teaching on humility. We stand close and listen.

The Lord enters Jericho. I am Zacheus, the chief publican, the little man who wants to see the Messiah from a tree. He looks up to me and says, "Today salvation has come to your house!" He stays two nights with me, a despised publican!

Over the Sabbath Jesus remains in Jericho. The next day (Sunday) He starts for Jerusalem at the head of a lordly caravan. Along the road there sits a blind beggar. It is I, again. "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on mel" He heals my eyes, I see, I am enlightened!

In procession we pass through Jericho's inhospitable ravines up to Jerusalem. Night intervenes and Jesus stops at Bethany. He is joyously welcomed by Martha and Mary. Am I an active Martha or a meditating Mary? Possibly it was on this Sunday evening that the memorable meal took place when, with Lazarus present and Martha as hostess, Mary poured out the costly ointment for Jesus' burial. It was the act which estranged Judas completely from his Master.

In solemn procession on Monday afternoon the King of Israel comes to the top of Olivet, weeps over Jerusalem, and then continues on to the temple. We feel ourselves part of this festive procession, waving palms in our hands. We accompany our King and watch Him drive the money-changers out of His Father's house. Tuesday morning He returns with His disciples and while crossing Mt. Olivet curses the unfruitful fig tree, a figure of the Jewish people. This barren tree is likewise a warning for us.

Verbal encounters with the Jews take place in the temple courtyard until Wednesday afternoon when Christ hurls His eightfold curse upon Pharisee and Jew, and leaves the temple forever. With His disciples He then proceeds to the Mount of Olives and delivers His powerful discourse on the end of the world and the destruction of Jerusalem. Present in spirit we hear this sermon and take to heart His final admonition, "Be vigilant!" Meanwhile Judas has left the circle of disciples and offers his assistance to the chief priests.

Thursday morning Christ sends Peter and John from Bethany into the city to make the needed preparation for the Passover meal. As evening falls He bids farewell to His mother and His friends and goes with His apostles to the Upper Room in Jerusalem for His "Last Supper" with them.—In mind and in heart we will follow our Blessed Lord closely during these sacred days of Holy Week.