(Source from “The Word Among Us”)

Who is this? (Matthew 21:10)

Who is this, who enters the holy city “meek and riding on a donkey” (Matthew 21:5)? This is “Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee” (21:11), a wonder-worker who preaches the good news of the kingdom of God. Today at Mass, we cry out with the crowd, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (21:9).

Who is this, who consecrates bread and wine so that it becomes his Body and Blood and then offers himself for our forgiveness (Matthew 26:27-28)? This is Jesus, the Lamb of God, who enters our lives every time we receive him in the Eucharist.

Who is this, who in the Garden of Gethsemane prays to his Father, “Let this cup pass from me,” and then surrenders to his Father’s will (Matthew 26:39)? This is God incarnate, fully human and fully divine, who understands our suffering because he himself has suffered.

Who is this, who refuses to defend himself when accused of blasphemy (Matthew 26:63-65)? This is the One who is “‘seated at the right hand of the Power’ and ‘coming on the clouds of heaven’”( 26:64), the One we will one day meet face-to-face in all his glory.

Who is this, who is mocked and spat upon and hailed as “King of the Jews” (Matthew 27:29)? This is the King of the universe, and our King, too. May he reign in our lives more and more each day!

Who is this, who is beaten, whipped, and crucified, and who cries out and then gives up his spirit (Matthew 27:46-50)? “This [is] truly the Son of God!” (27:54), who loved us so much that he took our sins upon himself to save us.

Who is this, whose battered body is laid in a tomb (Matthew 27:60)? This is Christ the Lord, who will burst from the grave on the third day and defeat sin and death forever. May he be forever praised!

“Jesus, as I begin this Holy Week, may I come to know you ever more deeply.”