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March 20thPALM SUNDAY Today we commemorate the day when Jesus entered triumphantly into Jerusalem, heralded by his followers as the one they hoped would liberate the Jewish people from their oppressors. The palm branches they waved were the symbol for the hope of Jewish nationalism, often used by the Zealots. The cry of “Hosanna” was for many a political, not a spiritual acclamation. Within a few days, God, as God often does, turned everyone’s expectations upside down. Jesus the “Liberator” became Jesus the “Victim.” Hearts and hopes were broken. Then, a few days later, God again turned everything upside down, as the “Victim” revealed Himself to His disciples as a Liberator of the Spirit they would never have dared to hope for before. The Resurrection opened their eyes to how much greater God’s plan was for them than their small hopes. that it is quite impossible to reach the thicket of the riches and wisdom of God except by first entering the thicket of much suffering, in such a way that the soul finds there its consolation and desire. The soul that longs for divine wisdom chooses first, and in truth, the enter the thicket of the cross. St. John of the Cross
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