Dear brothers and sisters, from the beginning of Lent until now we have been preparing our hearts by repentance and self-sacrifice. Today, with the whole Church, we herald the beginning of the celebration of the Paschal Mystery. On this day our Lord Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem and was welcomed as King with palms and shouts of praise. Today we greet him as our King, though we know his crown was a crown of thorns, and his throne a Cross.