NOTE: Today's Gospel Meditation is on the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and not on the Passion (Mk 14:1 – 15:47)

The February 1985 visit to Trinidad and Tobago by the late Pope John Paul II was an incredible experience for all who were part of or witnesses to the event.

From the day he was made Pope, his life had a tremendous impact on all people of the world, Catholic and non-Catholic, Christian and non-Christians alike. For us as Catholics his life and teachings challenged and inspired us in our faith relationship with God.

His constant request to us to establish a “civilisation of love” led many of us to re-examine our values and attitudes that led to a renewal of and in the Church. To non-Catholics and non-Christians, his message of solidarity with all people of goodwill and the brotherhood of man led many to desire and work for the improvement of human relationship.

At the same time his message and lifestyle caused disquiet both within and without the Church. Many would have preferred if his presence and message had not entered the world.

It was against this background that the late John Paul II visited this country. That visit was preceded by months of careful planning by the Papal Visit committee. Nothing was left to chance; every minute detail was looked after and considered.

Then the historic day and moment arrived. From Piarco Airport all along the route and in the National Stadium crowds came out. The mood was euphoric as people acclaimed this man as “We Pope”.

“John Paul we love you!” was the spontaneous shout as we all paid homage to this man who gave us a glimpse of “the coming of the kingdom of our Father David”. Our actions that day indicated that a great king was in our midst and through our actions we paid homage.

In today's gospel for the procession with palms we see Jesus having a similar experience. In the time leading up to this day his public ministry would have impacted on all.

His disciples, the scribes and Pharisees, Jews and Gentiles were all challenged and inspired, touched and affected by his life and message. There were those who accepted and those who rejected Jesus' message.

Yet on this day as he enters Jerusalem , in a spontaneous and universal reaction the crowds acclaim Jesus as their king and recognise him as the one who establishes the “ coming kingdom of our father David ”.

Jesus who enters the city in humility, ( then they took the colt to Jesus… and he sat on it ) is accepted and acclaimed by the people as their king and the one through whom their deepest human longing – the establishment of the kingdom of their father David – would be fulfilled.

As we enter into Holy Week with today's celebration the opportunity is there for us, as the Church established and left by Jesus, to reflect on the extent to which we follow his example.

As we enter the Jerusalem of our day, do we do so humbly, on the back of a colt? What effect do we, and our message make on people's lives?

Can they pay homage to us by proclaiming “ Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord ?” Are we helping people to see in us, the realisation of their deepest human longing?

Loving Father,

We thank you for the Jesus people we have known in our lives. They have been humble, entering our lives as if riding on the back of a colt, yet their message and their lifestyle affected us so deeply that we “spread our cloaks on the road” and as we follow them we shout “blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord.” May we be so inspired by them that we may shout “his name to the highest heavens”.

GLEN CAZOE is member of the Maloney Parish, Church of the Incarnation. He is also the chairperson of that parish's Justice and Peace Committee.