The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem

Between “Hosanna” and “Crucify Him”

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

The feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem is one of the brightest and at the same time one of the most tragic moments in the Gospel. On this day, Christ enters Jerusalem in humility, and the people welcome Him as a King — with branches in their hands and with joyful cries: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” It is a moment filled with light, hope, and faith. But the Church does not allow us to remain only in this outward joy. It invites us to look deeper, because even in these joyful voices we can already hear the echo of the Cross.

The crowd that praises Christ today will soon change. In just a few days, the same voices will cry out: “Crucify Him!” These are not different people — they are the same ones. And this reveals something very important about the human heart. If the heart is not rooted in God, it is unstable. It can quickly move from excitement to disappointment, from love to rejection. Human emotions are strong, but without truth and faith, they do not last.

Why did this happen? Why did people turn against Christ so quickly? The reason is simple and serious: Christ did not meet their expectations. They were waiting for a powerful earthly king — someone who would defeat their enemies and give them freedom, power, and comfort.

But Christ came in humility and peace. He spoke about repentance, sacrifice, and eternal life. When people realized that He would not give them what they wanted, they turned away from Him. This story is not only about the past — it is about us.

We also often create our own expectations of God. We pray, we ask, we hope, and when God does not answer in the way we expect, our hearts begin to change. We may become disappointed, confused, or distant. We want a God who follows our plans, but we struggle to accept a God who leads us through the Cross toward salvation.

That is why this feast is a call for deep reflection. Each of us must ask: who am I in this crowd? Is my faith strong, or does it depend on my situation? Do I stay with God only when life is good, or also when it is difficult? True faith means staying with Christ not only in joy, but also in suffering — not only when He is praised, but also when He carries the Cross.

The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem opens the way to Holy Week — the path that leads to Golgotha. And here we face a choice: will we stay with Christ until the end? Because real faith is not just saying “Hosanna” in moments of joy, but remaining faithful in times of trial.

May this day become for us not only a celebration, but a moment of decision — to remain with Christ always. And then our “Hosanna” will not be a short cry of emotion, but a steady and faithful voice of the heart that leads us to the Resurrection and eternal life. Amen.

 Fr. Ivan Symchyna