17th Day - At the Cross

40 DAYS AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS

DAY SEVENTEEN – ENTERING INTO JERUSALEM

The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road. The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.” Matthew 21:8-9

How wonderful that greeting was, just one week before, when Jesus entered into Jerusalem. He was greeted with much joy and exaltation. “Hosanna!” they cried out as they laid palm branches before Him. They treated Him as a king.

But now our Blessed Mother watched as her Son, the King of all Kings, mounted His glorious throne to distribute His grace and mercy upon the world. This was no earthly kingship. It was much greater. It was a Kingship of such spiritual power and authority that it superseded mere earthly strength. It was a Kingship dispensing salvation from the throne of the Cross.

The contrast between Palm Sunday and Good Friday was startling. Many were left in confusion. They were disillusioned as they saw Jesus’ life deteriorate from a glorious welcome into Jerusalem to carrying a cross out of the same city just days later. But our Blessed Mother and our Lord Himself saw things much differently. Their pain was mixed with the utmost joy and peace at the mounting of His throne. They both knew that Jesus would be exalted for all eternity and that the echoes of “Hosanna!” would reverberate forever in Heaven.

Jesus’ earthly death united Heaven and Earth. His Cross became the permanent bridge connecting, across all space and time, God the Father with all His children on Earth. Though Jesus’ death was painful, the sorrowful heart of our Blessed Mother would have brought Him much comfort as she continually cried out in silent adoration of her Son. As she gazed at Him, her Immaculate Heart continually proclaimed, “My Son, You are the King of All, Hosanna to You, dear Son! Hosanna to You, my Lord, my Son and my King! Hosanna in the highest!”

Reflect, today, upon this glorious song of praise. “Hosanna in the highest!” Speak this song as you gaze, with our Blessed Mother, upon the crucifix. See the crucifix as the Throne of Grace. See Jesus as the King of all Kings. Look with faith and love and peer under the veil of the blood and bruises. See the King and give Him eternal glory.

My dearest Mother, your gaze of love upon your Son looked beyond the earthly sufferings He endured and saw the glory of that sacred moment. You saw His sacrifice for what it was. It was the greatest act of mercy ever known.