Palm Sunday 2014

Jesus Triumphant Entry
It's happening now - does anyone see it?

The following texts are taken from John's account of Jesus entering Jerusalem. Each excerpt is followed by a meditation. 

The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young ass and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on an ass's colt!"  His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. (Read on through John 12:1-50)

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REFLECTIONS:

"The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign."   vs. 18

• Signs - are they meant for believers or nonbelievers?
• Many of the Jews already were expecting a "rising from the dead", like Lazarus. That's what attracted them. But the "Resurrection" that Jesus reveals is so much more.
• What would attract this generation to Jesus?
• Do you find yourself needing signs?

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Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  vs. 24,25

• Everyone hates decease and wishes it to be banished from life. The use of the word "hate" here is meant to convey "unconditional choice for eternal life". Everything of this world must be left behind. We take only our good deeds.
• Our generation promotes having it all now. (The rich are richer, the poor, poorer.)
• What areas of your life do you feel conflicted over the choices you are making?

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"Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, for this purpose I have come to this hour …… Now is the judgment of this world, now shall the ruler of this world be cast out; and I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all to myself." vs. 27,31

• "The Hour", that appointment in time, in the history of the world, when the Deceiver is conquered. He is the father of lies. His argument is death. "If there is a God, and he loves you, why do you suffer, why do you die.?" Jesus' answer, the Resurrection.
• Our answer, Faith.
• We can discus theology with others, believers and nonbelievers - perhaps friendly, perhaps otherwise. Argue religion with Satan - you loose.
• "Now is my soul troubled."  Even Jesus felt the presence of his influence. The real battle happens here, in the soul, not in the head. The shadow of doubt he casts is over whelming. 
• "I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all to myself." Only Grace, accessed through prayer and deliverance can save us. As Jesus taught us how to pray, in the Our Father ...... let us not be put to the test, but deliver us from the Evil One.
• Do you know when to shut down the debate in your head and say this prayer?

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Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, lest the darkness overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons and daughters of light." Vs. 35, 36

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St. Ignatius speaks of walking in light or in darkness in The Spiritual Exercises, in his rules of DISCERNMENT. When one walks in light, he calls this consolation, and when in darkness, desolation. Speaking of the light of consolation he says: 

I call consolation every increase of hope, faith and charity, and all interior joy which calls and attracts to heavenly things and to the salvation of one's soul, quieting it and giving it peace in its Creator and Lord.

Speaking of the darkness of desolation he says:

I call desolation darkness of soul; disturbance in it, movement to things low and earthly, the unquiet of different agitations and temptations, moving to want of confidence, without hope, without love, when one finds oneself all lazy, tepid, sad, and as if separated from his Creator and Lord. 

In the persons who are going on intensely cleansing their sins and rising from good to better in the service of God our Lord, it is the way of the evil spirit to bite, sadden and put obstacles, disquieting with false reasons, that one may not go on.

ST. IGNATIUS gives the following instruction for dealing with the darkness of desolation:

1.

In time of desolation never to make a change; but to be firm and constant in the resolutions and determination in which one was the day preceding such desolation, or in the determination in which he was in the preceding consolation. Because, as in consolation it is rather the good spirit who guides and counsels us, so in desolation it is the bad, with whose counsels we cannot take a course to decide rightly.

2.

Although in desolation we ought not to change our first resolutions, it is very helpful intensely to change ourselves against the same desolation, as by insisting more on prayer, meditation, on much examination, and by giving ourselves more scope in some suitable way of doing penance.

3. 

Let him who is in desolation consider how the Lord has left him in trial in his natural powers, in order to resist the different agitations and temptations of the enemy; since he can with the Divine help, which always remains to him, though he does not clearly perceive it: because the Lord has taken from him his great fervor, great love and intense grace, leaving him, however, grace enough for eternal salvation.

4. 

Let him who is in desolation labor to be in patience, which is contrary to the vexations which come to him: and let him think that he will soon be consoled, employing against the desolation the devices, as is said in #2