I wish you a happy “Palm Sunday” (Oshana Sunday or Lord Christ’s Entry to Jerusalem Feast) which was celebrated last Sunday by the Eastern Christians, followed by the Holy Week, or “The Passion Week” as called by the Coptic Orthodox Church, as we follow the steps of Lord Christ, and then it ends with celebrating the Feast of Resurrection.
On Palm Sunday, Lord Christ entered Jerusalem with His disciples.As soon as the crowds heard of His coming, they gathered around Him to welcome Him: some put their clothes in the way, while others cut branches from trees and spread them in front of Him, crying out: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’Hosanna in the highest!” The scene turned into a majestic procession that caused the city of Jerusalem to tremble, this drove its people to ask: “Who is this?!” The prophet of the Old Testament Zechariah spoke about this meek and joyful entry, and said: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!Behold, your King is coming to you;He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.” This entry was preceded by another great event; Lord Christ raised Lazarus from death after four days that his sister Martha said to Lord Christ when He asked to take away the stone: “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days” . He replied: “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” The stone was taken away, and Lord Christ cried with a loud voice, commanding: “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” As for those present, and they were many, they saw that miracle; some of them believed in Lord Christ, and others went to the Pharisees and told them what he Had done in order to plot to get rid of Him!
Notably, in the prophecy of Prophet Zechariah, this Man entering Jerusalem was given several descriptions, including:
King
Lord Christ entered Jerusalem as kings are received by their flock with cries and tree branches as a sign of victory and rejoice. This filled the Jews’ chiefs with envy and resentment, the Pharisees told each other: “You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!” The Pharisees thought Lord Christ is an earthly king who would deprive them of their authority and dominion, unaware that His kingdom is not from this world, but rather in heaven and in the hearts of those who truly love Him. They could not understand that Lord Christ, who lived among the weak, the needy, the pained and those who have none to remember them, does good, alleviates their burdens and teaches them, He is the lover of mankind who came that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly through being restored to God.
Meek
The life of Lord Christ was characterized by meekness, the prophets said about Him: “He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench” and, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” That meekness with which He lived among men, going about doing good, He was never seen threatening anyone despite the offences he endured from the scribes and Pharisees; His teachings to His disciples and to the people were oflove, mercy, and shunning evil, saying: “I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” By resisting evil, others’ evil or harm caused to someone is meant; this is what the apostles called to: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” We saw the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for their faith, as their lives were filled with meekness, even towards their persecutors, they were praying for them! Saint John Chrysostom says: “The best way to get rid of your enemy is to turn this enemy into a friend.” Such transformation can onlybe fulfilledthrough love and meekness.
Modest
Lord Christ entered Jerusalem, modestly riding on a donkey and on a colt, the foal of a donkey. So has been His whole life since birth in a cow manger, as well as His job as a simple carpenter, then His ministry and going about across cities for the salvation of mankind without having somewhere to lay His head!
Happy feast to all of you, and… Stories in beautiful Egypt never end!
The General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
العربية
