Palm Sunday
(Sermon of Saint Vincent Ferrer,O.P.)
Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord,” (Saint Matthew 21:9).
This text is taken as the basis of our sermon. It is a short and very devout song composed by the Holy Ghost, and today sung with devotion to Christ, when He solemnly entered the city of Jerusalem. We sing it today many times, representing that solemnity, Christ coming into the city of Jerusalem: “Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.”
The whole solemnity of Palm Sunday today consists of three points:
— First is about the honor and solemnity today coming to Christ shown by the city of Jerusalem in which He was received honorably.
— Second is about the solemnity which we today give, representing Him appropriately.
— Third is about the way which Christ walks today, coming into the city of Jerusalem virtuously.
And for each of these in particular and for all of them in general we should sing and say to God, “Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord,”
RECEIVED HONORABLY
The first point today is about the honor and solemnity which the Jews showed. In the Temple they praised and blessed Christ coming into the city of Jerusalem, where He was received honorably with great joy and festivity. Very remarkable. I find that Christ came to Jerusalem often and for many reasons, and there was never any celebration nor honor given like today.
Christ first came to Jerusalem for the Presentation, forty days after His Birth, when the Virgin Mary presented Him in the Temple. We do not read that there was a solemn reception then, except that Simeon and Anna adored Him, as is clear in Saint Luke chapter 2. He was tiny, and the procession was tiny. But His body grew, and His compassion grew, and the time came when He was no longer carried in the arms of the Virgin, but on the back of an ordinary donkey, not to be redeemed with [sacrificed] doves [birds], but He would redeem all men by His Blood.
Secondly, Christ came to the city of Jerusalem for debating, when He was twelve years old. There was no celebration for Him at that time.
Thirdly, He came for prayer. In accord with the Law, He would come to Jerusalem for every feast day, and would enter the Temple.
Fourthly, He came to stamp out sins and notorious vices, because the high priests by their greed had made of the Temple a house of business (cf. Saint John 2). Nor was there any celebration for Him then.
Fifthly, He came to preach, often, because that city was a metropolis and the capital of the province.
Sixthly, He came to reveal His divinity by working miracles, healing the sick, raising the dead. Not even then was there a celebration.
Seventh, He came for sacrificing Himself. Today He wished to enter Jerusalem, [the place] where He should suffer for the redemption of the human race. Then there was a great festival for Him, and a solemnity celebrated.
For this reason, I reply there that although Christ had performed many good things for us, nevertheless, we are bound and obliged to Him more for the work of His Passion and Death, that for all the others. We are bound to praise and bless Him for the work of the Incarnation which He did out of love of us. Also, for the teaching and preaching which He had given, going from village to village. But above all we are bound [to bless] Him for the work of the Passion, because the Lord Himself wished to die for the servants, the King for His subjects, a Just Man for the unjust, the Innocent One for sinners. Hence, Saint Bernard de Clairvaux says: “Above all, good Jesus, the chalice of the Passion which Thou had drank, the work of our Redemption, renders Thee beloved to me.”
See the reason why God put it into the hearts of the people that He be received so solemnly when He came to Jerusalem for sacrificing.
This solemnity consists in six circumstances or ceremonies which were done for Him.
First, because He wished to enter riding. It is not read anywhere that Christ ever rode an animal. Only today, when He entered Jerusalem. And then He rode on a colt of an ass, according to the prophecy of Zacharias 9: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Sion! Shout for joy, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold thy King will come to thee, the Just and the Saviour. He is poor, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass,” (Zach 9:9). Then was fulfilled that prophecy.
Read how He sent two disciples from Bethphage, according to the Gloss, Peter and Philip, for the donkey and colt, etc. A tethered ass signifies the Jewish people, the synagogue bound by the chain of the Law of Moses, which chain has three links, namely the three kinds of precepts: the ceremonial precepts which order a person toward God; second, the judicial precepts, which order one to the neighbor; third, the moral precepts which order a person regarding himself, how everyone should live. The colt which had not yet had been tied, nor had ever borne a burden on its back, signifies the Gentiles, who had no chain of the Law around their neck, nor burden of precepts on their back. It signifies that Christ not only had come to redeem and save the Jews, but also the Gentiles and pagans. Thus, He observed this ceremony, because He wished first to ride on the ass, which he had to untie, because at the time of the Messiah-king all prefiguring and ceremonies should cease. Second, He wished to ride on the unbroken colt, not out of necessity, but that the Scripture and prefiguring should be fulfilled. Because the Gentiles also should be converted to Christ. Thus, the Apostle, “and whosoever believes in Him shall not be confounded,” (Romans 9:33).
The second ceremony or circumstance is this. He wished today to enter Jerusalem in a procession, because a great crowd preceded Him and followed Him, and He with the Apostles went in the middle. Just as we do today in processions in which many precede and many follow, and the bishop or priest who represents Christ, in the middle with the priests. And the Gospel says that both the ones preceding and the ones following were looking back saying “Hosanna to the son of David,” (v. 9). In this is shown that all who preceded, from Abel down to Christ, namely the Patriarchs and Prophets, as well as also those who would follow, down to the end of the world, all look upon Christ through faith, saying, “Hosanna,” etc. Because no one can be saved, unless through Christ. Therefore, Genesis 49: “I will look for Thy salvation, O Lord,” (Gen 49:18). And, in Acts 4: “Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other Name under Heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved,” (Acts 4:12).
The third circumstance is this. The entire route, from the Mount of Olives up to Jerusalem was covered. Such was the devotion of the people, that not with caps or other decorations, but with the coats and capes of men and women, they paved the path, the Evangelists says, “And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way,” (v. 8). Why this? I reply that this was a figure of future martyrs, as is clear in Sacred Scripture. The human body is called the clothing of the soul, which clothing the vast crowd of martyrs, would lay down on the way, dying for their faith in Christ. So, King David says, in the person of martyrs: “Because for thy sake we are killed all the day long: we are counted as sheep for the slaughter,” (Psalm 43:22). Also in the Apocalypse 7 it says of martyrs: “These are they who are come out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and have made them white in the blood of the Lamb,” i.e. of Christ, (Apoc. 7:14).
The fourth ceremony consisted of the tree branches. The Evangelist says that “others cut boughs from the trees, and strewed them in the way,” (v. 8), namely flowers and leaves and branches from trees. It was a sign. For in Sacred Scripture men are called trees. Saint Mark 8: “I see men as it were trees, walking,” (Mark 8:24). From these trees, flowers, leaves and branches of merit and good works are to be spread out before the way of Christ, namely that they be done for Him, because otherwise they are worthless of merit. Saint John 15: “for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
The fifth was, because He wished to be praised and blessed both by the great as well as by the small, and Hosannas cried out, according to that of David: “Out of the mouth of infants and of sucklings thou hast perfected praise,” (Psalm 8:3). This was to show that by virtue of His Passion not only adults and great ones are saved through penance, but also children through innocence. Book of Wisdom 6: “For He made the little and the great, and He has equally care of all,” (Wisdom 6:8).
Sixth, because all, both the great as well as the small with one voice were saying, “Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord,” (v. 9). In which it is shown that He was the universal Redeemer of all. “For there is one God, and one Mediator of God and men, the Man Christ Jesus: Who gave Himself a Redemption for all,” (1 Timothy 2:5f).
From all this we understand why and how today this solemnity was celebrated for Christ and not otherwise. About this Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, had prophesied saying: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; because He has visited and wrought the Redemption of His people,” (Saint Luke 1:68).
REPRESENTED APPROPRIATELY
The second point which touches us more, is about the solemnity which we make, representing that solemnity appropriately given today to Christ, because just as Christ today with solemnity and procession came to the place of His Passion, so also we today with great solemnity and procession, come to the Passion which today is read in the Mass. Someone might ask: “Why is the Passion of Christ read today with such solemnity?” Because the Passion of Christ ought to generate sadness and pain in the hearts of the faithful, and not happiness and joy. Note how the Passion and Death of Christ can be received and considered in a fourfold way, according to which it is read four times in the Church, according to the four Gospels.
First it can be viewed and thought about from the point of view of His personal dignity, considering the Person Who suffers, Who is Christ, King, Father, Lord, Innocent and Pure. And according to this consideration the Passion of Christ brings sadness, pain, tears and sighs to Christians. In this respect the Passion of Christ is read on Good Friday, on which the bells are not rung, and people prostrate themselves, sad, and bowing their heads. In this respect the prophet Jeremias considered the Passion of Christ saying, “And I was as a meek lamb, that is carried to be a victim,” (Jeremias 11:19).
In a second way, the Passion of Christ can be received and considered according to human necessity, because we are all weak and wounded by the plague of sins, nor can we be cured except by the Blood of Christ, Who willed to suffer for our sins. “But He was wounded for our iniquities, He was bruised for our sins,” (Isaias 53:5). And according to this point of view the Passion of Christ urges us to contrition and sorrow for our sins, for which it was necessary for Christ to suffer and die. And in this respect, the Passion of Christ is read in the Church on Wednesday, according to the Gospel of Saint Luke.
A third way it can be considered according to judicial perversity, because the Jews had been honored by God, the sons of the prophets and patriarchs, the people chosen by God and yet so strongly they had rebelled against their God. In this respect, the Passion of Christ gives us an occasion for compassion for that reprobate people, destroyed and damned by the Passion of Christ. And from this point of view, the Passion of Christ is read in Church on Tuesday. And in this way, the prophet Zacharias considered the Passion of Christ, saying: “What are these wounds in the midst of your hands? And He shall say: With these I was wounded in the house of them who loved Me,” (Zacharias 13:6).
Fourth, the Passion of Christ can be heard and pondered according to its ultimate usefulness, because from the Passion of Christ we have been freed from damnation to hell, from mortal sins, and we have grace in this world and glory in the next. See the ultimate utility of the Passion of Christ. And seen in this way, the Passion of Christ generates in us joy, happiness, exultation and consolation. This is why the Passion of Christ is read today [on Palm Sunday] with such solemnity, joy and happiness, singing, “Glory and praise.” Hence Isaias says: “Rejoice, and give praise together, deserted Jerusalem: for the Lord has comforted His people: He has redeemed Jerusalem,” (Isaias 52:9). Note, the “deserted Jerusalem,” about which the Apostle says in Galatians 4: “But that Jerusalem, which is above, is free,” (Gal 4:26), and from her all men of the world had deserted by her sins. But now, already, it must be rejoiced, “…for the Lord has comforted His people,” by paying for them the price. This is the reason why the Passion today is read with joy.
Here note the six differences of today’s joy as opposed to the six sorrows of Good Friday.
The first sadness, because on Good Friday the holy bells are not rung, they are silenced. Because in the Passion and Death of Christ, the bells, i.e. the Apostles whose sound of preaching goes out to the whole world, according to the prophecy of David, lose their sound, because none dared to announce Christ, moreover the greater bell, namely Peter was broken by denying Christ, nor did John who was next to the Cross dare to say anything in Christ’s behalf. But today, considering the ultimate benefit of the Passion of Christ we make a great solemnity, ringing the bells.
The second sadness, because then the tables are struck, a sound of sadness and pain, and it symbolizes the sound of derision and blasphemy which they heaped on Christ in the Passion. But today the priests sing with a high and clear voice. Reason: because of the Passion of Christ, the souls of the blessed shall sing with the angels in glory.
The third sadness is this. On Good Friday the holy images, crosses and icons are hidden and covered, just as in the Passion of Christ, the Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalen and John and others covered their heads out of grief and sadness. They could not gaze upon the cruel Passion of Christ. But today the Cross is held high, solemnly, in a sign of the benefits of the Passion of Christ.
The fourth sadness is because on Good Friday, the holy Passion is commemorated with tears and sorrows, to show the tears and sighs of the Virgin Mary and the others. But today it is remembered with joy and gladness because of its ultimate usefulness.
The fifth sadness is because on Good Friday, people prostrate themselves, shoes off, grieving, and many fast on bread and water. But today people walk in procession with great joy, well dressed, carrying branches in their hands which signify the victory which we have over our enemies by the Passion of Christ.
The sixth sadness, because then the Passion is sung without any procession and order, for the Apostles were dispersed, separated and divided. But today a solemn procession takes place, and we all go, gathered and ordered, because from the Passion of Christ we all are united and gathered. Saint John in chapter 11 says that Christ was to die “to gather together in one the children of God, that were dispersed,” (John 11:52). Hence, we sing with joy: “Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord,” (v. 9).
THE WAY TO JERUSALEM
The third point is about the way which Christ took coming into Jerusalem, which way is made up of six stages.
The first stage. Christ, today, in the morning, left Bethany and came to Bethphage. Second, from Bethphage to the Mount of Olives. Third from the Mount of Olives He descended into the Valley of Josephat. Fourth from the Valley of Josaphat He came to Jerusalem. Fifth, from Jerusalem He went into the Temple of God. Sixth, from the Temple He returned to Bethany with the Twelve Apostles, as in Saint Mark 11. So, it seems that He had six stations.
And this represents our path which we walk by sinning and returning to grace through the way of penance.
First, through sin we depart from Bethany which is interpreted “house of obedience,” from which we withdraw whenever we break the precepts of God for the sake of gaining some earthly prize. In this withdrawal there should be weeping. So when Christ left Bethany, leaving Mary Magdalen, Martha and Lazarus, thanking them, because often they had received Him into their home, Mary Magdalen began to weep, saying to Christ, “Lord where dost Thou wish to go? because it is already decided in Jerusalem that they should kill Thee. So, keep the paschal feast here, and Thy Mother will come here.” The Apostles said the same, and Martha and Lazarus. They were afraid. Christ replied to them, “It is necessary to fulfill the will of Him Who sent Me.” Magdalen and all the others wept, saying, “Perhaps we shall never see Thee again.” Tears in the departure from Bethany, in which it is shown that man, when he departs from the house of obedience ought to weep, through contrition, according to the prophecy of Jeremias 2: “Know thou, and see that it is an evil and a bitter thing for thee, to have left the Lord thy God, and that My fear is not with thee,” (Jeremias 2:19). So, the first station.
Secondly, He comes to Bethphage, which is interpreted the “house of the cheek” or “house of the mouth.” This represents oral confession. After you have left Bethany, i.e. the house of obedience, with tears of contrition, it is necessary that you come to Bethphage, i.e. to the house of confessing your sins by mouth. Bethphage is a village of priests. So confession has to be done to priests, because no one else, no matter how holy, can forgive sins, because only to the priests did Christ say, “Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them,” (Saint John 20:23). Note “they are forgiven them,” He does not say they will be forgiven, because that very same hour in which they are forgiven by a confessor, they are forgiven by God. “and whose sins you shall retain,” namely by not absolving, because they were unwilling to refrain from sinning, or because they were unwilling to make restitution, or because they were unwilling to forgive injuries, “they are retained,” (Saint John 20:23) by God. Thus, the second station.
Third, from Bethphage He went up the Mount of Olives. So, the works of satisfaction. The Mount of Olives has three conditions in which are signified the three works of satisfaction. First because the Mount of Olives is difficult. See here the difficulty of fastings, of vigils etc. Secondly, because it is high. This stands for the height of prayer, which according to Damascene is the “elevation of the mind to God.” Thirdly, because there olives grow, which are medicinal. See, the generous giving of alms. “Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of penance,” (Saint Matthew 3:8).
Fourth, from the Mount of Olives He descended into the Valley of Josaphat, which means “the Judgment of the Lord.” Thus, the repayment of debts, because the Lord shall judge irrevocably that everyone repay his debts. Although you are in the Mount of Olives through satisfactory works, it is also required that you descend into the Valley of Josaphat, by restoring things taken in two ways, either spiritually or temporally. Spiritually a clergyman descends into the Valley of Josaphat who obtained his prelacy or dignity or benefice by simony, because he committed theft. Saint John 10: “He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up another way, the same is a thief and a robber,” (John 10:1). The door represents legitimate election, without your assistance, or dealing. It means a spiritual appointment is pure, because the Pope appointed you without your knowledge or dealing. If you wish to be saved it is necessary to descend into the Valley of Josaphat by making reparations saying, “Lord I have stolen this, so I restore it to the hands of your vicar.” In a secular matter, he who stole a castle, a villa, a home, a field or possessions or money, or something else descends into the Valley of Josaphat, when he restores it. It is necessary to descend from the evil state. Let no one deceive you. Also, if you defame someone, it is necessary to descend to restoring to him his good name if it not true what you said, or if it is hidden or a secret. If you say that it will be embarrassing or dangerous for you to recant, I respond, it does not matter, because the sin is not remitted until what was taken is restored.
Fifth, from the Valley of Josaphat Our Lord Jesus Christ comes to Jerusalem which is interpreted as “peaceful”. See here the forgiveness of injuries, when a man makes peace for himself with his enemy. So, David: “Pray ye for the things that are for the peace of Jerusalem: and abundance for them that love thee. Let peace be in thy strength: and abundance in thy towers,” (Psalm 121:6-7). Note: “abundance,” because unless a greater person has peace with lesser and vice versa, and the greater among themselves do not “abound”, then there will be poor and the earth will be sterile. So, the Apostle says: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness: without which no man shall see God,” (Hebrews 12:14). Note peace and holiness go together, because some have peace but no holiness, but malice and sin, like robbers among themselves, like procurers with their prostitutes. Thus, the buyer, seller and manager have peace but not holiness when they defraud each other.
Sixth, from Jerusalem He enters the Temple of the Lord. This means Holy Communion. After you have done the previous stations, you go to the Temple of the Lord for Communion, nor do you expect that the Lord would come to you in your weakness, etc. “Come in, thou blessed of the Lord: why standest thou without? … And bread was set before him,” (Genesis 24:31,34), which is allegorically said to every Christian. This is the way to paradise which Christ showed to us by entering into Jerusalem.
And so: “Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord,” (Saint Matthew 21:9). Amen.