My son, give me your heart,
and let your eyes observe my ways. (Prov. 23:26)

Dear Young People in Christ!

I always await Palm Sunday with great anticipation – the day of the glorious entrance of Christ into Jerusalem – for it is an opportunity to support and bless you and to speak to you the Word of God.

Today we experience a profound Gospel event – the entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem. This is a celebration of Christ’s triumph and glory that opens the door to suffering and death, one of the most important episodes of His life. The people greet Jesus with great elation because news that He restored life to Lazarus had spread across the land like lightning. The thunderous welcome of Jesus at His entry into the city is a manifestation of the joy at encountering a person who recently revealed Himself as a life-giver, by having “called” to life His friend with the words, “Lazarus, come out!” Our Lord – still before he set out on His own path of suffering, death and resurrection – weeps for His deceased friend and returns him to life – because life, not death, is the human vocation!