When the Soca Warriors returned from defeating Bahrain to qualify for the World Cup, Trinis took to the streets. We watched the television, waiting in anticipation. Our heroes had returned. There was joy.

Still, this must have been nothing compared to when Our Lord entered into Jerusalem to begin his passion. That day He was welcomed as King. There was a great celebration of the people.

This Passion Sunday let us meditate on what His passion means for us as Catholics and how it affects us. We can celebrate Him entering into our hearts even as He entered into the City of David.

Now, before He entered the city, Jesus sent two disciples as messengers ahead of Him. He sends disciples even today. Those messengers are you and I. We are to proclaim His coming; to make a joyful noise; to make a path for our King.

Scripture says that God never burdens a man with more than he could bear. When I ponder the passion of our Lord, I marvel at his bravery. I wonder if I would enter willingly into any place or situation where I know I would be disgraced, mocked, beaten and then killed. I wonder if I even have the courage to do what some of our brothers and sisters do today.

They enter into danger for the sake of Christ when they offer assistance or carry the Gospel into war-torn areas. In Trinidad, our local saints face abuse and molestation when they travel into areas where murder and death is common. Still, they go to visit the bedridden or carry the Eucharist for those who cannot come to church. In doing this they walk with the triumphant King.

It is easy to walk in triumph and join in celebrations, but to follow our Lord along the Via Dolorosa and to carry his cross for Him shows our true colours. Can we be like Simon of Cyrene? Can we say that we are willing to carry the cross, or would we do so only when it is forced upon us?

We say we want to suffer for Christ, but do we? Who wants to be the sufferer, the “po-me-one”? No one follows the sufferer. He walks a lonely road. Everyone wants to befriend the man of action. We want to be him. He is our hero.

They say that people prefer the underdog, but they don’t really. They don’t support him. They don’t rally to him. Our poor Jesus. Cast aside in favour of Barabbas. However, the race is not for the quickest, but the most sure-footed, and our Jesus is definitely the most sure-footed.

I have no knowledge of whatever became of Barabbas. Concerning Jesus, today’s Gospel (Mt 26:14-27:66) tells us that when they got to the place of the Skull they crucified Him.

In this age of graphic violence this may not mean much to us. The movie “the Passion of the Christ” brings it into full context: the anguish, the pain, the suffering.

He did this for us. What can we do for Him? As we enter Holy Week, we must keep Jesus forward in our heart and mind. Knowing the pain he suffered for us, we must celebrate with him, and suffer with him.

When we make that conscious thought to live with him constantly, we become His. Forget about the Soca warriors, we are warriors for God: “The Trini(ty) Warriors.”

Eternal Father we thank you for the glorious entry of Your Son Jesus, into our lives as we celebrate His triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Give us the strength to not only celebrate with Him, but to serve and suffer as need be for His glory.

Help us to become warriors for His love. To spread the good news, and to do good works despite how the world may treat us. Help us to be humble and contrite. Teach us to follow your instruction, O Lord. Into Your hands we commit our lives.

Sean Leid is a member of the communications group of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and is co-producer of its weekly newsletter “The Light of the Immaculatta”.  He is happily married. God has chosen to bless him and his wife Lisa, with three children.