This feast marks the beginning of the Church's greatest event - the celebration of our redemption. The triumphant ride into Jerusalem on a humble donkey foreshadows for Jesus and for us, the whole paradox of His life, death and resurrection. The cries of the welcoming crowd echoes the song of the angels at His birth, "Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heavens."

But this joy is fleeting, as the liturgy unfolds the drama of the Passion. Isaiah sings the Song of the Suffering Servant of Yahweh, while Paul recalls an ancient hymn praising the God who chose to become Man. From a distance, we are safe in our cocoon of rituals and guilt-ridden devotions. Could we pause a while, reflect and enter into the Passion with Him, Who chose to be like us that we might become more like Him?

Could we, like Him, stand before our accusers with the same spirit of truth, dignity and conviction in our mission? Could we, like Him, watch in silence as one of our closest and dearest friends betrayed us turning his back on us? Could we accept all this and more?

We can only answer "Yes" because Christ has made it possible.