Lent nears its end as we await the solemn Three Days – the Paschal Triduum of the Passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. Today’s liturgy sets the tone for what begins Thursday evening. The great fast of Lent is replaced by the great days of Holy Week – these days must be the time of greatest festivity in the Church. Indeed, these days are without equal in the year and need to be celebrated as such.
The readings before the Gospel and the prayers of this day see the death and resurrection as part of our own journey to the Father, and the reading of the Passion at liturgy makes most sense as a passage in which we hope to share. “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!”