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no. 36

     My eyes are drawn up the road to where a short rise is seen before the path levels out as it enters the city. I see now a donkey, small and being led by its reins. Upon the donkey sits our Dear Lord, Jesus Christ.

      His apostles are all around Him, and they are trying to keep the crowd from pressing too close. The task is an impossible one. They are at once filled with an exhilarated air because of the people w ho have poured out of Jerusalem to greet the Master, the Messiah. They are filled with a bit of pride to see their beloved Master so well-received, and their quick glances to one another swiftly convey the message that this is how it should be for the Son of God; and they grow confident that from this point on, the tide of popular love for Jesus will win over the hearts of His enemies. At the same time they react to the pushing, shoving, loud crowd in a very human fashion. The one who leads the donkey is trying to make haste, but must constantly push people out of the way. The other apostles surrounding our Lord must also elbow, push and shove the people back lest in their zealousness they would cause injury to our Lord, or suffer injury in the undisciplined crowd.

      Jesus appears very tired. He is thin. His face is gaunt. Yet, notwithstanding the visible marks of His endless labors, He exudes serenity and peace. No one who is present can doubt the majesty of His whole Being. He smiles at all, those in the high places as well as those along the side of the road. He constantly lifts His right hand in blessing, and at His gesture those lucky enough to have a palm frond gladly lay the palm upon the path so that, in essence, they make a path of greenery for Him to pass over.

      I understand, also, that so great is their fervor at this moment that they would willingly lie down to let the donkey with its precious burden trod upon their bodies, if only to acknowledge the Messiah, this Jesus of Nazareth.

      I watch as Jesus continues to bless, aware of all the people. And when He drawn closer to the houses He lifts His gaze, His blue eyes bright and filled with love, and bestows His blessing upon those who I referred to earlier as the "Holy Women" of Jerusalem. These women cross (1) themselves and bow as He passes by, then silently, almost sadly, retire within their homes. The air is filled with dust, and the feverish voices of the populace which constantly cry out: "Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah! Jesus of Nazareth!"

      Jesus, astride the donkey, rounds a bend in the road and is lost from my sight as I remain where I began this interior vision. I see the people form a living train that follows after the Master, their cries of "Hosanna!" filling the hot, sultry air.

(1.) When asked about this, our Lady said, "My Divine son explained to those closest to Him that the manner of His death would, henceforth, be the blessing (sign) of the New Law."

NEXT INSTALLMENT: Part Three of JESUS ENTERS JERUSALEM - the Meditation by Our Lady