By allowing ourselves to live in that rhythm of life that Jesus teaches, we can be honest and true as His disciples
The Scripture readings on the Easter Vigil are a veritable scriptural feast. Next to that celebration, Palm Sunday has an incredible array of excerpts from the Word of God to bring us into Holy Week.
We begin with one of the Gospel passages describing Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Previously, we’ve heard about those plotting against Jesus and His fear of coming into the town. We know that there have been some who love Him and some who hate Him. Trying to imagine the scene of His triumphant entrance into Jerusalem makes us set aside some of the hatred and enjoy the acclamation that comes His way. In that entrance, we see the fulfillment of many of the words of the Old Testament prophets.
We turn to the prophet Isaiah, who foreshadows the innocent lamb to be slain. Isaiah paints the picture of one who is unafraid and is willing to allow himself to be sacrificed for the sake of others. Isaiah reminds us that we are only able to do that when our help comes from God and not our false securities. Part of the work of Lent has been to shed ourselves of the excuses we have made for not choosing to be open to the help of God wherever it takes us. It is a work that will never be finished in us, but how might we carry this on in the days and weeks ahead?
St. Paul reminds us that Jesus is the model of our self-emptying. He took on the form of a slave, a human being, and He humbled Himself. He was obedient to the point of death. He is exalted because of His obedience, and the fruitfulness that flows from it. We would not be here today, people of faith, without Jesus voluntarily emptying Himself for our sake and the sake of all.
This year, the Passion narrative is from the Gospel of Luke. We see Jesus seated at the table with His disciples. Betrayal enters the drama when the disciples are asked to identify as His followers and refuse or run for their lives. We are also given the opportunity to stand in the place of the crowds and ask Jesus to be crucified. We might also put ourselves in the place of Joseph, a virtuous and righteous man. To be honest, we would probably have to say that we are all of those characters.
At Mass this weekend, imagine what it might have been like to be at table with Jesus. Let Him come to us in a real way and share Himself. How could we ever let the Master wash our feet? How can somebody be so generous in the midst of our infidelity? Why is it that when we get in a crowd of people who don’t believe in Jesus, we become cowards, simply playing along with the crowd? How often have we known that what we’re about to do is wrong but do it anyway? Remember the times when we have been virtuous and righteous in the presence of someone who has suffered so deeply.
Triumph and tragedy are a strange mix in the readings for Palm Sunday. A creative tension exists in Jesus and us because we know that life holds both tragedy and triumph. To allow ourselves to live in that rhythm of life that Jesus teaches us is to be honest and true as His disciples. Enjoy the moments of glory and exaltation, but always make sure that it is directed toward God alone. Jesus has gone before us and has suffered bitterly; He understands our pain and brokenness.
Try to attend the services at your parish this week. Those celebrations will help us enter the reality that Jesus is asking us to live. We watch Him do it so that we can do it too. We fall and rise with Him.
Father Donald Wester is retired and serves as lecturer of homiletics at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.
