On Palm Sunday we read of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Many people threw cloaks across the road and waved palm branches in honor of Jesus. Jesus must have been full of joy to be welcomed with such passion, even though he knew it was dangerous.
I recently returned from a visit to Egypt to experience the great work of Catholic Relief Services in welcoming migrants from war torn areas such as Sudan. Nearly 1 million Sudanese have fled to Egypt since the civil war started in April 2023. Egypt appears to embrace their role as a welcoming home for many migrants from Sudan, Syria, Palestine, Eritrea and Somalia to name a few countries. And Egypt is very active in providing aid and support to the people of Gaza at this chaotic time. Catholic Relief Services works with the government of Egypt to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.
Fleeing to another country to escape violence is a horrendous experience. The uncertainty of what lies ahead can be absolutely nerve shattering. In Egypt we met and talked with many people (including youngsters) who experienced some of the worst conditions imaginable and some suffering with PTSD. But all of them had hope for the future despite their trepidation of being a newcomer to a strange country.
As we celebrate Palm Sunday and approach the end of Lent, let us welcome Jesus into our hearts as he was welcomed when he entered Jerusalem. For it is by welcoming the hungry, the thirsty, the ill, the naked, those in prison and the stranger that we welcome Jesus because “whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
