Scripture for this reflection can be found at Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion | USCCB
On this Palm Sunday we start what is the holiest week
on the Church Calendar. Holy Week! Today we hear of the grand entrance of Jesus
into Jerusalem. We hear the crowds cry out, “Hosanna to the Son of David;
blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, hosanna in the highest.” They
would go on to call him a prophet. “This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in
Galilee.”
They have seen all the miracles Jesus performed over
his three-year ministry. They see his healing power and the love he has for
all. He is brining people that were away from God back into relationship with
God.
In the reading from Philippians at today’s mass, we
hear Paul say of Jesus, “though he was in the form of God, did not regard
equality with God, something to be grasped.” Paul would go on to say that Jesus
emptied Himself and became like us, in all ways except in sin. Jesus came into
a fallen world to bring salvation. His love for all of us was truly great: he
became like us in order to bring us forgiveness of sins, and to help us develop
that loving relationship with God that we all need.
The people on Palm Sunday saw this love of Jesus
towards them, but soon, due to the jealously of the Scribes and Pharisees,
turned away from Jesus within just a few short day. They were hoping for
someone to free them from the Roman Occupation. Instead Jesus was not that
political leader they were hoping for. Plus, the Scribes and Pharisees were
fearful of losing their control over the people because of Jesus’ teaching on
love of God and love of neighbor. As a result, the people were quickly
disappointed in Jesus and by Good Friday morning, they were saying “Crucify
Him.”
During this Holy Week, as we journey with Jesus
towards the Last Supper on Holy Thursday and Golgotha on Good Friday, let us
keep focused on the fact that on Easter Sunday morning, our Lord will concur
death by rising from the dead. Through his suffering and death we have gained
eternal life through his resurrection on Easter Morning.
Finally, during this Holy Week, let us pray for all
our holy priests who bring us the Lord daily in Holy Communion.
From Arlene B. Muller
ReplyDeleteYES, JESUS is, was & did all that to save us & bring us back into relationship with the Triune GOD & know His love. Excellent homily.
Regarding the crowd: a few years ago Father Wilson, who was stationed at St. Margaret's parish at the time, suggested that the crowd that welcomed Our LORD on Palm Sunday & the crowd who shouted "Crucify Him" on Good Friday might actually have been two distinctly different groups of people. The rejoicing & welcoming crowd on Sunday might have been the "everyday people" who had heard JESUS preach & witnessed His miracles & healing. The crowd on Good Friday might have been people who were followers (or "groupies", as Father Wilson called them) of the Sanhedrin who were easily swayed by what the Jewish leaders said & did. It was an interesting point. Father Wilson is somewhat of a Scripture scholar, so I think his theory is credible. I would like to think that this is true & that the "everyday people" were not as fickle & disloyal as they have been portrayed. At any rate, it's good "food for thought".