During the two Gospels that make the Palm Sunday
liturgy, we go from the joy of a good parade on Palm Sunday to a parade that
ends with the suffering and death of Jesus on Good Friday. The incredible contrast in moods between the
two Gospels proclaimed in this Sunday’s liturgy capture well the broad dynamic
of the Paschal Mystery. The opening
Gospel proclaimed in the blessing of the palms is the triumphal entry of Jesus
into Jerusalem with the disciples shouting Hosanna and placing palm branches
along the route
The second Gospel proclaimed is the Passion Account of
the suffering and death of Jesus. Before
this week is ended, the palm branches of Palm Sunday will be replaced by the
thorns and nails of the Friday we call “Good.”
Shouts of “Alleluia” and “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the
Lord!” will be drowned out by the mocking sneers and cries of “Crucify Him!
Crucify Him!”
The contrasts in moods that are part of the drama of
Holy Week point to a case of frustrated expectations. They crowds cheered Jesus as the Son of
David, and when he failed to act like a conquering king, they turned their
backs on him and looked for another.
This kind of behavior is not difficult to understand, because unfortunately
we too give up on people when they do not meet our expectations.
Traditionally during Holy Week we focus on the
sufferings of Jesus. But it is not
suffering, not even the sufferings of Jesus, that makes this week holy. Rather it is holy because of love -- the
reconciling love of God who has come to live among us in the person of Jesus
Christ. God’s love is the only thing
that stands between utter chaos and an attempt to stand whole and complete in
the middle of crisis. God’s love is the
only thing that makes sense out of suffering, conflict and tragedy. God’s love
does not do away with suffering; the very fact of the cross should teach us
that. God’s love makes it possible to
hear it, to remember it, to share in it, and, yes, even to celebrate it. God’s love brings meaning to this week of
dueling emotions; God’s love is the essence of the story of salvation.
This week is holy because of love, but it is love
misunderstood. Jesus is a hero, but not
in the traditional pattern of heroism.
He actually looks more like a victim.
He is not triumphant as we understand triumph. Instead he appears to be a failure. Judging by one set of standards, Jesus has
not met our expectations. But according
to another standard – the standard of unconditional love –he has far surpassed
our expectations. At once regal and
lowly, he brought healing and holiness to others through his own pain and
brokenness. He would claim victory by
being defeated; he would establish his reign by serving and by dying. His crown would be a weave of thorns.
Palm Sunday is not about ancient history. It is about NOW. Jesus still refuses to save the world by what
we recognize as power. He still does not
use divine power to wipe out disease, poverty, crime, oppression, injustice or
error. He still tries to convert instead
of control. He still chooses to love
rather than punish. He still chooses
meekness over might, simplicity over plenty, service over sovereignty and
suffering over strong-arm tactics.
When our servant king returns, will he recognize in his
Church the policies that he established so long ago? Will those in authority be servants of
all? Will the poor be welcomed as
honored guests at the banquet tables of the rich or will they still be the
hired help who are relegated to the leftovers in the kitchen? Will the sick and the elderly experience
healing through the compassion and caring of others or will they languish alone
and unattended? Will Christ still find
members of his body still willing to turn the other cheek, walk the extra mile
and forgive seventy times seven times?
Will the followers of Jesus evoke from their contemporaries a comment
like that was paid to their ancestors in faith, “See how they love one another.”?
Have a Blessed Holy Week.
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