Yesterday Jesus rode into Jerusalem. The crowds hailed Him as the Son of David and exalted Him with palms and shouts of joy.
Now Monday of Holy Week dawns. Where is He? What happened after the crowds dispersed?
The Gospels shed light on this. On the evening of Palm Sunday, Jesus went to spend the night in Bethany, where He would have stayed with friends (Matthew 21:17).
Monday morning, He returned to Jerusalem. According to the Synoptic Gospels, it is on this day that Jesus walked with firm purpose into the Temple and drove out the moneylenders, castigating them for making His Father’s house a “den of robbers” (Matthew 21:12–17, Mark 11:15–19, Luke 19:45-48).
Jesus also began His final days of teaching, giving the people a holy torrent of parables and warnings. Many of His most famous teachings and parables—such as the widow who gave two pennies, the parable of the wicked tenants, and the dispute over paying taxes to Caesar—happened during Christ’s ministry in Jerusalem.
Then—as biblical clues suggest—He returned again to Bethany.
Note, here, the importance of Jesus’ friends: He spends time with them in these last days of His life on earth.
In these early days of Holy Week, we feel Christ’s Passion looming out before us. The weight of Good Friday seems to permeate into each moment. Yet, despite our growing awareness of Our Lord’s Passion, we also feel the reality of His Resurrection. Although we know the incoming darkness of Golgotha, we can walk towards it because we know the tomb will be empty next Sunday.
The beautiful duality of Holy Week is the same tension we embrace whenever we look upon a crucifix. This is why Crucifixes are such beautiful images in our faith and why every Catholic should have one. If you or a loved one does not have a crucifix, you can order one from The Catholic Company as a thoughtful Easter gift! Our favorite is this beautiful Gold Petite Crucifix & Miraculous Medal. Order yours today from The Catholic Company and receive it in time for Easter!
