Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Low, your king comes to you; Triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
On that day the Lord their God will save them for they are the flock of his people; For like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land.
Zechariah 9: 9, 16
The first reading prescribed for today is from Exodus, recounting Moses’ mission to return to Egypt, go before Pharaoh, and tell him to “Let my people go…” This portion of the second reading from Zechariah is a prophetic description of Christ’s triumphant entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday – which is coming in a few days for us to celebrate. This prophecy describes the flock of His people whom He will save. He states that they shall shine like the jewels of a crown. Jesus did accomplish what He set out to do: God always does. God in Christ rides into Jerusalem accompanied by His disciples, who at that moment think it is just a matter of days before their teacher will be proclaimed the Messiah – the crowds are shouting as much. However, He has a different victory in mind, a better plan. Through and in His victory, His followers, the apostles, and the flock that He saves, will shine like jewels in a crown.
Let us pray with St. Gregory:
Lord God, doer of good, generous king, who for the sake of sinners like me came,
took the form of man accomplishing things beyond telling and performed miracles,
even perfecting our humanity with the fullness of your divinity.
The holy apostles, whom you ordained with your heavenly hand,
and anointed by your Holy Spirit,
truly and boldly, without reservations, they have crowned themselves
with the tiara of victory, adorned with brilliant gems.
Through the grace of their worthy prayers and dedicated supplications, accept me too.
Listen, praised Lord, to their prayers for me and mine for them,
for their praise, my salvation, and for your glory, O Lord,
all compassionate, doer of good,
blessed, beyond words, incorruptible and uncreated.
Yours are the gifts, and yours is grace.
To you with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
glory forever and ever.
Amen.
Prayer 82 A, C, D, G
