Holy Week launches with Palm Sunday. With blessed branches in hand, we mimic the exuberant crowds that welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem. However, shortly before that, the mood was entirely different. Sacred Scripture tells us that our Lord stood on the Mount of Olives as he gazed over the entire city, and cried: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" (cf. Matthew 23:37). 

Here lies the problem of humanity from the very beginning with Adam and Eve -- we reject our creator, we reject our Father; we reject his son. Yet, God does not cease pursuing us, even when we betray him. Love cannot stop. So now Jesus enters into the heart of darkness, knowing precisely his crucifixion is at hand.