9- THE ENTRY OF CHRIST INTO JERUSALEM
		
		
		The entry of Christ into Jerusalem is a celebration of 
		triumph. This is the way the Gospel presents the event. 
		Our Church brings us to this moment of glory. Coming at 
		the close of Great Lent, the celebration of the Feast 
		gives a foretaste of Paschal Joy. 
		
		
		According to the Gospel of St. John (12: 1-18) the public 
		celebration which accompanied the Entry into Jerusalem was 
		not only on account of Jesus, but also to see Lazarus whom
		He had raised from the dead. The people took branches of 
		palm trees and went out to meet Him. Jesus found a young 
		donkey and sat upon it. The Disciples followed Him and the
		welcoming crowd met them at the Jerusalem Gate. In the 
		icon, our focus of attention is on the portrait of Christ,
		seated sideways on the donkey, His head turned toward the 
		Disciples following Him, and His right hand raised in 
		blessing. 
		
		
		Traditionally, children play a prominent role in the 
		representation of the Entry Into Jerusalem. Some are 
		depicted: one, high in a tree, cutting the palm branches; 
		another, spreading his cloak along Christ's way. Though 
		the Gospels do not specify the childrens' presence, the 
		Church sees in them the very embodiment of the Biblical 
		reference: "Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings you 
		have fashioned praise." (Psalm 8: 3) Related to this is 
		the call of the Palm Sunday Vespers: "Wherefore, like 
		babes, rejoice, carrying branches in your hands, and 
		praise Him, singing, "Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is 
		He Who comes, the King of Israel." 
		
		
		The Icon of the Entry portrays the journey of Christ to 
		His voluntary passion and death. At the same time, it 
		gives us an image of His installation in the Kingdom of 
		His glory, the Kingdom of the New Jerusalem, which in 
		terms of the Resurrection Matins, shines in the glory of 
		the Lord. 
		
		
		TROPARION -O Christ God, You confirmed the resurrection 
		of all before the time of Your passion by raising Lazarus 
		from the dead. Therefore, we as the children of Israel 
		carry the symbols of victory and cry out to You, the 
		Conqueror of Death, "Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is 
		He Who comes in the name of the Lord."
	

		I am as great as I think I am
		
		
		Self-esteem is a sense of value and worth that comes from 
		a positive self-image. Self-esteem begins with you and 
		extends to all that you do. With the belief that your best 
		is always good enough, no one but you can destroy your 
		self-esteem. You destroy your esteem when you do not keep 
		your word. When you do not honor the agreements and 
		commitments you make. If you say "yes" when you really 
		mean "no." When you don't follow your first thoughts. It 
		does not matter what your environment may be. It is of 
		little consequence what your past has been. It is not your 
		concern what others may be saying or doing. It is only in 
		your mind that you build and destroy your self-esteem.
		
		
		You may not know how to raise your self-esteem, but you 
		definitely know how to stop lowering it.
		

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