The Lord’s entry into Jerusalem – a sign and a choice in favour of God through faith

On Sunday, April 17, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian was present in St. Andrew the Apostle Parish from Mississauga.

In his sermon the hierarch spoke about the importance of the feast.

“Palm Sunday is a very important religious feast because through it we contemplate Christ entering in Jerusalem and His passion that will bring us salvation. St. Nicolae Velimirovich talks about a separation of the flock in front of the shepherd on this occasion. On one side are those who follow Him — the disciples, Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. On the other hand are Judas, the high priest, and those who hated Him and wanted to kill Him as Lazarus was the proof of the divine work of the Savior Christ.

Christ’s divine identity is also seen in his knowledge of what is to come — that is, the foretelling of His death. The anointment in the house of Lazarus made by Mary is in fact, in the words of Christ, the anointing which foretell His death. Jesus also reveals the one who would betray Him due to wickedness, cunning, and dishonest gain. On this occasion, Judas will show more concern for personal gain than for what would happen to Christ.

The entrance of the Savior Jesus Christ is triumphant as the One who comes in the name of the Lord, as a king. The multitude greeted him with the branches of the palm tree, saying, Hosanna: Blessed is He that come in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel. We can see in these moments the joy and enthusiasm of the crowd, but in no more than three days a part of the same crowd will betray him and kill him.

What does this spiritual moment mean to us today? It is in fact understanding of our human fragility that passes from one state to another very quickly without always a clear basis. Faced with God’s presence, we need faith to go forward in God’s confession. Faith is a step forward with hope in God in which we anchor our lives in the unseen realm and in the promises of God that are the foundation of our Christian life. It means walking in faith - so that everything you do is done with the hope of God who is with you, supporting, strengthening, and helping you to move forward.”

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, HG Bishop Ioan Casian installed the new parish priest – Father Lucian Azoiței – handing him the Gospel, the cross and the key of the church as signs of his mission and responsibilities in the pastoral activity.