AUDIO MEDITATION:

Jean-Hippolyte Flandrin (French, 1809-1864), Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem. Public domain.

FULL TEXT:

Jesus rode on the colt into Jerusalem and many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields.

The crowds are here to welcome Jesus as their king, but their divided hearts are on display in this painting. Some look on in wonder and awe, some in fear and uncertainty. We can read both praise and skepticism on their faces. Jesus’ face, however, is resolute. He is determined to preserve his single-hearted faithfulness to God, even unto death.

What would Jesus read on our faces as he passes by us today on our way to Holy Week? How can we more closely emulate his single-hearted faithfulness?