Youths Commemorate Jesus’ Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem.
Catholic faithful congregated at various churches across the country to mark Palm Sunday, an important day in their calendar during which they take time to reflect on the day Jesus Christ made a triumphant entry into Jerusalem ahead crucifixion.
On 14 th April 2019, at St. Mary’s grounds Nairobi, youths from the Archdiocese of Nairobi held processions while waving palm fronds which are used as a symbol of the re-enactment of Christ’s arrival in Jerusalem, days before he was crucified. This was also a way of commemorating Archdiocesan Youth Mass.
As we look at the Passion of Jesus, so many events also take on new meaning for us. We see a whole host of characters who each had a role to play that eventually led to Jesus’ crucifixion. Once we realize that it was our sins that crucified Jesus we can see these different characters in the Passion representing our sins which caused Jesus to die.
“This is a very important day for us as Christians, it is a time to reflect back on that important day when Christ was crucified,” said His Eminence John Cardinal Njue while delivering the Homily. He added that it is on Palm Sunday that we enter into the Holy Week, and welcome Jesus into our lives, asking him to allow us a share in his suffering, death and resurrection. This is also the time we remember and relive the events which brought about our redemption and salvation.
So, as we go through this day and this week, we are urged to reflect on Jesus. We watch, not just to admire, but also to learn, to penetrate the mind, thinking, attitudes and values of Jesus so that we, in the very different circumstances of our own lives, may walk in His footsteps. If we are to be His disciples, He invites us to walk, share and imitate His ways, sufferings and attitudes so that we may live in service of others. In short, to love others as He loves us. This is not a call to a life of pain and misery but an invitation to a life of deep freedom, peace and happiness.
His Eminence concluded by encouraging the youths to meditate on Jesus’ Passion this week and renew their lives with Jesus and leave sin behind to rise with his new life at Easter. That this week we are beginning, is indeed a Holy Week. Try to keep it as a Holy Week, attending the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday and the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection during the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night.
