The writings of the reposed Fr. Bishoy Kamel, about church events specially Holy week, will remain as one of the most beautiful readings in this important occasion. His writings will continue to be a pristine refreshing fountain quenches the thirst of the spirit for anyone that drinks from it.

For me personally, every year for more than thirty years, I tirelessly read his outstanding article “The journey from Jerusalem to Golgotha.” Every time I read it, I always find new insightful depths.

Perhaps this is the reason that I want you to join me in enjoying a few paragraphs of this article:

“Events are taking place faster than anyone can catch up with them. The Gospel of Palm Sunday Matins prayer tells us: ‘Zacchaeus, make haste and come down.’ This means that the events of salvation will take place very swiftly, and whoever is late and doesn’t hasten, will miss them. This is the last time Jesus will pass through Jericho, Zacchaeus town, If he doesn’t hasten, he will no longer find Jesus.

The events are very rapid. The epic moment is the most serious and in which the most critical event takes place. The events from Palm Sunday to Crucifixion are very intense, not even the books of the whole world can fully contain it. The epic moment is near; preparations are taking place very quickly. A colt, the foal of a donkey, is needed very promptly, as Zechariah said, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion…” (Zechariah 9:9).

He is a humble King

Humility is the first and utmost important aspect of the reign of Christ who is riding on a colt. The Lord came to reign over the humble and children.

He reigns over the hearts of the children:

Walking behind Jesus, are the children shouting joyfully, while the leaders of the Jews are consumed in their anguish. Our Lord rejoiced and said I thank You O Father because You have revealed these things to the children and hid them from the wise and prudent.

My Lord Jesus: I cry out to you with the children from the depth of my heart and say: Give me O Lord the heart of a child, the simplicity of a child, the sincerity of a child, he forgiveness of a child, and the love of a child. You said that if we don’t return to childhood we will not enter the kingdom… Lord Jesus, I fear this verse so much. And the puzzling thing that hinders me from going back to the incense of children is being busy with challenging ministry, dealing with difficult people, and caring for the church. Nonetheless, you O Lord from the mouths of babes and nursing infants… You silenced the enemy and the avenger (Psalm 8). Give me this faith O Lord so I can conduct myself according to the heart of a little child and believe that you are the King of my life.

A weeping King:

When he saw the city [Jerusalem] he wept. He wept because the city didn’t know where her salvation is. He weeps for its well being. My brethren, Jesus is weeping at the doors of our hearts, He weeps because He sees the ferociousness of the enemy and the danger that surrounds us while we don’t know where our salvation is.

When we reject Jesus, He stands at our door weeping. Oh Lord, my heart is so hardened, it doesn’t move with Your weeping. Oh Lord, my mind is so ignorant; it doesn’t know where its salvation is

Lord Jesus, come now and reign with your tears over my heart and burst fountains of tears in my heart.

A King holding a whip:

He didn’t allow anyone to bring their wares to the temple… My Lord Jesus, I see you now at the doors of the church stopping anyone from entering with their ware: The love of this world and its desires and hatred... You say to the priest, leave your wares outside the church. You say to the deacon leave any vainglory or self-absorption outside the church. You say to the young men and women leave behind the love of this world... leave outwardly embellishment… leaves provocative clothing… You say to the students, leave your degrees and studies… leave it all outside the church and only seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

A Powerful King:

When He entered the city, it trembled. Christianity is courage in self-control… strength in faith… and depth in love. People took off their garments and placed them at the feet of Jesus. This is courage in letting go of things, just like St. Anthony did.

Today, Jesus should reign on our hearts. The truth is: Our souls and bodies have been consecrated with the Myron [Holy Chrism] and belong to Jesus, we only need to accept Him as our King. Unfortunately, these consecrated souls have put on the garments of this world. Dear brothers and sisters, we need to completely take off these garments and place them at the feet of our Lord and proclaim Him as the King of our hearts. We need to accept Him as a humble and meek King, rejected from worldly kings, sojourner to this world, a powerful yet weeping King who holds a whip in His hand. We ought to accept Him like children would and believe that our hearts would become his dwelling place (1 Corinthians 6:19). We hear Him saying to us My house shall be called a house of prayer But you have made it a den of thieves. Cast out the thief, the devil, and his thuggery from our heart so they become Jesus’.

My Lord Jesus, this is our covenant to you today.