Tractatus Prior, Pars Prior, Cap. 21. Defesto palmaram et humili equitatu lesu

Tractatus Prior, Pars Prior, Cap. 21. Defesto palmaram et humili equitatu lesu

In Jerusalem. , I bless and give thanks to you, Lord Jesus Christ, gentle Savior of the world and merciful Redeemer of humanity, for the astonishing declaration of your humility and the ineffable greatness of your piety, which today you have deigned to reveal, as you ascended on the bare back of a donkey with naked feet and entered the holy city of Jerusalem amid a great throng and the praises of children. I praise and glorify you, renowned Jesus, son of David, for the solemn reverence shown to you today by the people of Israel, by whom you are recognized as a great king and prophet, and proclaimed with the highest voices. I praise and honor you for your wonderful love and unyielding gentleness, for you chose to come to those murderers with kindness and spontaneity, knowing that they would soon seek to kill you; for their sins and wickedness, you shed abundant tears, warning them of the great evils that would follow after their present joys. I praise and glorify you for your fervent zeal in cleansing against the wrongdoers, for you immediately entered the temple and drove out those who were selling and buying in your Father's house, because they had made it a den of robbers. And just as you appeared severe to the unjust and greedy sellers of souls, so you were again very compassionate and merciful to the poor and the weak, generously offering the word of teaching and the help of healing to many. O ineffable power of Christ, O supreme mercy of the Son of God, who can speak of your mighty deeds, Lord, and make all your praises heard? Remember me, Jesus, in your good pleasure; visit me in your salvation. Come, beloved Jesus, and lead me to the holy city of Jerusalem, not the one that kills the prophets, but the one that is built in heaven, where the highest unity of the heavenly citizens exists. Ascend above all the light and slippery movements of my flesh, controlling them with the bridle of self-discipline. It is good for me to carry my Lord and to be subject to your law, not to rebel against the command of obedience, but to bear the burden imposed on me with patience and gentleness. You should never stop working or growing spiritually; there’s no other way to go forward. Instead, you must proceed with a holy purpose until, with your help and guidance, we reach the heavenly Jerusalem, where peace is everlasting. So, with the children of Israel, I cry out to you, saying: 'Hosanna to the Son of David, save me in the highest.' Hail, King of the world, Savior of the house of Israel, whom the prophets foretold would come from the beginning of the world, and whom the Hebrew people joyfully welcomed today with glorious praise. I adore you, I glorify you, who came in the name of your Father to redeem us from the hand of the enemy and to reconcile us to God the Father with your precious blood. I also beseech you, Lord Jesus, to enter the temple of my heart, and whatever you see there that is stained or profane, cleanse and remove it far from me. Cast out from your dwelling various forms of worldly things, images of places and people. Throw out the tables of the money changers, so that the desire for greed doesn't tempt you. Take away the noise of the beasts of burden and the doves, so that the abundance of worldly things doesn't hold me back from my longing for heavenly desires. Take up the whip made from the cords of your fear and drive away with strong zeal all the fantasies and impurities of the devil, which the worst merchant, the devil, often displays in the church during prayer time, so that my soul, severely tempted and lured by vain illusions, is not led into consent and unwittingly slain. Help me, most powerful Jesus, and do not allow me to be ensnared by the traps of the devil and my own wickedness. Preserve me from evil, strengthen me in good, so that I may escape the dangers of eternal damnation and journey with you to the eternal tabernacles of heavenly Jerusalem.