The Commemoration of Our Lord's Entrance into Jerusalem
Daily Lent Prayer
"Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall declare your praise."
We begin our celebration with an invitation to remember what happened on this very special day. Dear friends in Christ,
for five weeks of Lent we have been preparing, by works of charity and self sacrifice, for the celebration of our Lord's paschal mystery. Today we come together to begin this solemn celebration in union with the whole Church throughout the world. Christ entered in triumph into his own city, to complete his work as our Messiah: to suffer, to die, and to rise again.
Let us remember with devotion this entry which began his saving work and follow him with a lively faith. United with him in his suffering on the cross, may we share his resurrection and new life.The Blessing of Palms
Almighty God, we pray you
bless these branches and
make them holy.
Today we joyfully acclaim Jesus
our Messiah and King.
May we reach one day
the happiness of the
new and everlasting Jerusalem
by faithfully following him
who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
or
Lord, increase the faith of your people
and listen to our prayers.
Today we honor Christ our triumphant King
by carrying these branches.
May we honor you every day
by living always in him,
for he is Lord for ever and ever.Opening Prayer:
Let us pray
for a closer union with Christ during this holy season.
Almighty, ever-living God,
you have given the human race
Jesus Christ our Savior
as a model of humility.
He fulfilled your will
by becoming one of us and giving his life on the cross.
Help us to bear witness to you
by following his example of suffering
and make us worthy to share in his resurrection.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, you Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Alternate Opening Prayer:
Let us pray
as we accompany our King to Jerusalem.
Almighty Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
you sent your Son
to be born of woman and to die on a cross,
so that through the obedience of one man,
estrangement might be dissolved for us all.
Guide our minds by his truth
and strengthen our lives by the example of his death,
that we may live in union with you
in the kingdom of your promise.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.The Readings: Mark 11:1-10 or John 12:12-16; Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22; Philippians 2:6-11; Mark 14:1-15:47
Daily Meditation:
For a closer union with Jesus
in his humility, in his suffering.
This Sunday we hold palm branches in our hands,
and wave them to greet our Lord's entry into the city of our salvation.
Last year's palms were burned to form the ashes
that marked our foreheads to begin this Lenten journey.
We can place these palm branches - perhaps from each member of the family -
in a special place in our home
(maybe cutting a small piece and putting it some place where I work).Each day this week they can represent our celebration of his love for me.
That symbol can say so many words -
all that I am about to celebrate and accept as love for me,
and all the entry into Jerusalem experiences in my life.Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory!
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest![Learn more about the Scrutinies here.]
Closing Prayer:
Loving Father,
I am just beginning to realize how much you love me.
Your son, Jesus was humble and obedient.
He fulfilled your will for him by becoming human and suffering with us.
I ask you for the desire to become more humble
so that my own life might also bear witness to you.
I want to use the small sufferings I have in this world to give you glory.Please, Lord, guide my mind with your truth.
Strengthen my life by the example of Jesus.
Help me to be with Jesus in this week
as he demonstrates again his total love for me.
He died so that I would no longer be separated from you.
Help me to feel how close you are and to live in union with you.