Bengaluru: Archbishop Bernard Moras called upon the faithful to try not to miss any of the liturgical celebrations during the Holy Week which started from today Sunday (March 25). He was the chief celebrant at the concelebrated Mass at the Palm Sunday celebrations organized by Bangalore Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services (BCCRS) at Ascension Church here on March 25.

Archbishop Moras, appointed Apostolic Administrator recently of Bangalore Archdiocese, brought an analogy to explain the importance of the season. He said a child asked his father why he was carrying a palm on his return from the church. The child’s father tried to describe the meaning of Palm Sunday and that this day Jesus was hailed King and the people greeted Jesus enthusiastically, waving palm leaves and covering his path with palm branches. That day the child could not go to the church as he was not well. And the child felt bad and asked his father how come Jesus visited their village church only ‘today’ (Palm Sunday) when he (the child) could not make it. The Archbishop meant to convey the message that no one should find himself or herself absent for all the celebrations of the Holy Week.

Archbishop Moras who contributed much for the growth and development of the Archdiocese pointed out the 40 days of preparation under the leadership of BCCRS culminated on the Palm Sunday. He also observed that we may follow all the process of the season but fail to recognize Jesus in our lives. Archbishop urged everyone to feel the need to change our lives and to become a new person through all the spiritual activities.

Archbishop Moras who worked tirelessly for the last 14 years in the Archdiocese wondered what thoughts might have had gone through the mind of Jesus that day – Palm Sunday. People cried out Hosanna….. What did Jesus think that day- was he happy, sad, or any other feelings? He knew very well that soon he was to die after crucifixion. People called out to release Barabbas and to crucify Jesus. Sometimes, innocent people suffer such as Jesus. This could be in the work place, home or any other situations. Archbishop called upon all present to take a decision that ‘I’ll stand by the truth and work for salvation of the whole world and to each one of us.’

Earlier, Archbishop concluded a brief Eucharistic adoration with the final blessings. He also presented an introduction prior to the Eucharist in which he explained the meaning and relevance of Holy Week that would end with Easter. He said the crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!"

Palm Sunday is a feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter. The feast commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in each of the four Gospels. It initiates Holy Week, the last week of Lent.

In the Gospels, Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem takes place in the days before the Last Supper, marking the beginning of his Passion. Crowds gather around Jesus and the next day the multitudes that had gathered for the feast in Jerusalem welcomed Jesus as he entered Jerusalem.

Jesus descended from the Mount of Olives towards Jerusalem and the crowds lay their clothes on the ground to welcome him as he triumphantly enters Jerusalem. We celebrate Jesus' entry into Jerusalem as Palm Sunday, a week before Easter Sunday.

According to the Gospels, Jesus was staying at Bethany before entering Jerusalem. John (12:1) states that he was in Bethany six days before the Passover. In the synoptic gospels, Jesus sends two disciples ahead to the village, in order to retrieve a donkey (a donkey and a colt) that had been tied up but never ridden, and to say, if questioned, that the donkey was needed by the Lord (or Master) but would be returned.

Jesus then rode the donkey into Jerusalem.In Luke 19:41 as Jesus approaches Jerusalem, he looks at the city and weeps over it, foretelling the suffering that awaits the city.

The people sang part of Psalm (118: 25-26): Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Palms were blessed before the procession. Fr John Abraham, in charge of the parish and younger brother of the Parish Priest, Fr Joseph Abraham, presented a brief introduction to the Palm Sunday celebrations. He said Christian worshipers celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, which took place the week before his death and resurrection (of Jesus). Palm Sunday, often referred to as Passion Sunday, marks the beginning of Holy Week, which concludes on Easter Sunday. Jesus traveled to Jerusalem knowing that this journey would end in his sacrificial death on the cross for the sins of all mankind.

The shouts of "Hosanna" meant "save now," and the palm branches symbolized goodness and victory. At the end of the Bible, people will wave palm branches once again to praise and honor Jesus Christ: After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. (Revelation 7:9). On this inaugural Palm Sunday, the people even threw down their cloaks on the path where Jesus rode as an act of homage and submission.

The crowds praised Jesus enthusiastically because they believed he would overthrow Rome. They recognized him as the promised Messiah from Zechariah 9:9: Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Immediately following this great time of celebration in the ministry of Jesus Christ, he began his journey to the cross.

Palm Sunday, or Passion Sunday, is the sixth Sunday of Lent and last Sunday before Easter. On this day, Christians also remember Christ's sacrificial death on the cross, praise God for the gift of salvation, and look expectantly to the Lord's second coming.

Fr Jacob Britto, Spiritual Adviser, BCCRS, read the Gospel, the Passion Reading (Mk. 15: 1-39).

Among others at the con-celebrated Eucharist included Fr Edward Thomas, president, CRI – Bangalore, Fr Roy, Asst. parish priest of Ascension Church and Fr Rayappa, Manager, Maria Niketan High School and College.

Br. Simon Rodrigues, former chairman, BCCRS, recounted the services Archbishop rendered to the Archdiocese and to BCCRS in particular. Simon, head of a Chartered Accountant Firm, hoped Archbishop Moras would be available more at the service of BCCRS.

People also prayed during the Mass in various languages such as Kannada, Tamil, Konkani, Malayalam and English

Br Cherian Ramapuram, chairman BCCRS, the force behind the 40-day Lent observances, prayers and preaching the word of God in different languages, thanked the Archbishop, vice chairman, Br. Joseph Varghese and his wife Monica (for music ministry and singing) besides several others including Sisters of 16 congregations that attended the prayers and intercessions. Br Cherian also hoped that Archbishop Moras who is still agile and active would be of great help to BCCRS. He said the red carpet is spread to welcome him which attracted applause from the congregation of faithful.