The Catholic Defender: Shadows

Our Lord entered into Jerusalem triumphantly amongst the praise of the people honoring him with palm branches crying, "Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest."

This scene begins triumphant, but we know what happens towards the end of the week. The Religious Leaders were able to turn this praise into a hostile crowd where they would ultimately call for the release of a convicted criminal instead of Jesus.

Among those who originally welcomed Our Lord into Jerusalem were people who held hope for their future freeing them from Roman yoke. But the Messiah was not one of liberation against foreign powers, but liberation from the bondage of sin.

Jesus is wanting to enter triumphantly into your heart, to free you from the bondage of sin. To offer the healing of memory for those who have been harmed, to offer forgiveness to the sinner setting the captives free.

I was Army for more than 26 years, I am a proud Veteran who have been many places and seen many things. I have sorrow for Veterans who have lost hope, 23 commit suicide everyday nearly 8,000 per year. That is a horrible situation.

I was in Germany in 1987 when a young man, someone that I had helped as a young teenager, after I had deployed to Germany, his mother informed me that her son committed suicide. That was horrible for me as I tried to be a good example for this young man. I wrote him often to keep him informed, but one night he took a rope and went into the barn and hung himself hanging in the rafters.

I was totally shocked and at a loss of what to think about it, a priest encouraged me with the knowledge that only God knew his heart. I could only place him in the Lord's hands. Sometimes we do not always see the signs when a person reached that kind of despair.

The above video is new, but the song goes back to the middle 1980's by one of my favorite bands, the Rezz Band. Their song Shadows is very important as the lyrics closely fit a close relative of mine. Again, Father's encouragement takes root, we can only place them in the Lord's hands.

Jesus offers us hope as a result of His triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Are we out there in that crowd offering praise "Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest"? Are we out there helping people who are suffering despair to see the Hope Jesus offers?

As we move towards the Passion of Christ, remember that he has all of us in mind. He suffered out of love for you. What is important is to strengthen our families, give our young people a strong foundation helping them understand that nothing can take away our faith and joy in Him regardless what is happening.

Another one of my favorite groups is a group called Petra, who has a song, "For Annie" which also deals with the subject of suicide. Please pray for our Soldiers, Veterans, young people, our nation. We need Jesus terribly.