Holiday procession

By NITZA TANNER
The setting and the time period are familiar, on the slope of the Mount of Olives across from the glorious Temple that stood in this place in Jerusalem. Jesus was preparing hinself for the final few days of his life on earth. On the Sunday before Resurrection Day (Easter), "Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, 'Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, "The Lord has need of them," and immediately he will send them.' All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: 'Tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.' (Zechariah 9:9) So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: 'Hosanna to the Son of David!' Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! Hosanna in the highest!" Matthew 21:2-9 Four days later, Pessah (this particular one known to Christians as The Last Supper), was celebrated on Mount Zion. Palm Sunday festivities, celebrated by all Christian faiths, are especially meaningful in Jerusalem where worshippers descend the Mount of Olives in procession, waving palm branches and singing, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"