triumphal entries
“...to bring up the ark of the Lord’s covenant from the city of David.” —1 Kings 8:1
In today’s first reading, we hear about the triumphal entry of the ark of the covenant into the new temple which King Solomon had built (1 Kgs 8:1ff). Jesus likewise made a triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (Mt 21:1-11). Both triumphal entries featured large crowds of rejoicing people. This can be seen in modern times when championship sports teams have triumphal entries called victory parades.
At each Holy Mass, Jesus makes a triumphal entry. The Lord makes a public show of the forces of evil, leading them off captive, triumphant in the person of Christ (Col 2:15). Where are the crowds? Yet even though Jesus is completely accessible to us (see Eph 2:18), we are often not accessible to Him.
If your favorite sports team won a championship, would you participate in the parade? If your favorite entertainer came to town, would you eagerly attend the concert? In that context, can you show up today and this week at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to welcome Jesus in His triumphal entry? Be present at Mass to welcome Him, so that He need not have to ask: “Why was no one there when I came?” (Is 50:2) Flock to worship Him. Join in His triumph at each Mass.
Prayer: Father, I am so proud of Jesus’ triumph over sin and death. I dedicate myself to thanking and worshipping Him daily.
Promise: “All who touched Him got well.” —Mk 6:56
Praise: Fr. Roger has attended Mass every day for over thirty years, first as a layman, then as a seminarian, and now as a priest.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(For a related teaching on Life-Changing Masses-No Matter What, view, download or order our pamphlet on our website.)
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