Scripture Reading
Matthew 21:8-11
Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, "Who is this?" And the crowds said, "This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee."
Reflection
"Hosanna" is both praise and prayer: it means "save us now." The crowd shouting it was right about the need but wrong about the method — they wanted a military deliverer, not a servant-king riding a donkey. Jesus accepted the praise and reframed the rescue. Holy Week begins in triumph and will pass through betrayal and death before arriving at the salvation the crowd's very cry was reaching for.
Prayer for Today
Eternal Father, you know my past, present and future, nothing is unknown to you. When I worry about what is ahead of me, please calm my fears with the knowledge that you go before me. I will never be alone because you will always be with me. You have promised that you will not fail me or forsake me and you are faithful to keep all your promises. Take away my fear and replace it with faith in your unending love. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Amen.