SE 24A Palm Sunday

TO DONATE TO THE SISTERS:
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Meditation for Palm Sunday, the triumphal entry of Jesus in Jerusalem.
INTRO
The enemies of Christ
PREPARATORY ACTS
Let us enter into the presence of God.
1. Opening prayer:
Lord my God, I offer to you all my thoughts, affections, desires, acts, dryness, struggles, etc. that with all of them I may give you greater glory, be converted, and save my soul. Grant me the grace that all my intentions, actions and operations be purely ordered to the service and praise of your divine majesty.
2. Composition of the prayer:
Several events happen before his entry to Jerusalem: the banquet in the house of Simon the leper, the anointing of Mary in preparation for the death and burial of the Lord, and His weeping over Jerusalem. Then comes his entry to Jerusalem.
Matthew 21:1-17.
First: the Lord sends for the donkey and the colt saying: (Untie them and bring them to me; and if anyone tells you anything, say that the Lord needs them, and then he will leave them).
Second: he climbed on the donkey covered with the apostles' garments.
Third: they come out to receive him, laying out his garments and the branches of the trees on the road and saying: (Save us, Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, save us in the highest).
Second Petition:
Lord, grant me the grace of knowing you deeply, who have become man for me, so that I may love you more dearly and follow you more closely.
BODY OF MEDITATION
1. ORGANIZATION OF THE ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM
2. JESUS CRIES OVER JERUSALEM
3. ACCLAMATION OF THE PEOPLE
The Gospel concludes this narrative: “when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve." (Mk 11:11 ).
CONCLUSIVE ACTS
Colloquium.
Let us imagine Christ, how, after such hectic day, arrives in Bethany, and retires to his room, closes the door, and speaks intimately with the Father.
This conversation of Christ with the Father must be mine with the Father, and with Jesus himself.
My father, here I am! This is the beginning of the end; I gloriously started the path of my passion; I come from hymns of glory to begin my way to Calvary. I have accepted everything, Father, because it is your holy will. The celebration is now over, and I have returned here alone and abandoned by the crowds. My beloved disciples will soon leave me too. My holy Mother and these good women will accompany me, and with their presence my sufferings will increase. Yes, my Father, I accept everything for your glory, the forgiveness of sinners, and the sanctification of souls. Here I am; I have come to do your will.
EXAMINATION OF THE PRAYER TIME
Now take time to reflect on you time of prayer. Write down the answers to the following questions:
1. Did you have a good prayer time, or did you have a not-so-good prayer time?
2. Did you pray for the whole hour or did you shorten the prayer time?
3. Did you have a suitable place and time?
4. Did you overcome any difficulties?
5. Are you excessively attached to something? Does this attachment prevents you from making your Spiritual Exercises well? Does it prevent you from doing God’s will?
6. Have I carried out this Spiritual Exercise with great enthusiasm and generosity, or at least asked for that grace?
7. Did I experience consolation or desolation? What do I need to do now?
AMEN.
Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
Pray an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be.