Palm Sunday

This holy week begins with a festive procession. A large joyful crowd welcomes Jesus as he enters Jerusalem. Those traveling with Jesus and the disciples, are in a good mood. There is talk of the healing and the miracles Jesus has accomplished along the way. There is real excitement and expectation. Many in the crowd wave palm branches, as if greeting a victorious returning king, and in fact many raised their voices declaring

 “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord”

Jesus, by his teachings and healing, has awakened great hopes, especially in the hearts of the marginalized and the forgotten.

But, we are aware, as they were not, that this joyful entry begins a week that will end in the darkness of Jesus’s betrayal, cruel suffering and death. But, we also know, as they did not, that from his passion will come his Easter glory.

We have just listened to the Passion of Our Lord. It spreads out before us as the great drama it is. But, it's not just a story, is it.

In the Ignation exercises there is a technique of prayer, where you put yourself into a gospel scene to breath in its sights and sounds.  You experience the scene from within, as a participant.

And there are so many characters in the Passion Narrative, so many names of individuals and groups to place ourselves.

 There was the crowd. Did I walk through the dust and heat with Jesus from Galilee?   Did I meet him at the gates of Jerusalem open hearted with the enthusiasm of those around me?  What are my expectations? How do I express my joy?

Or, am I hesitant, uncertain about who Jesus is. Do I stand back and wait to see which way the wind blows?

Am I with the authorities, and the teachers of the law, who have already decided to kill Jesus? Do I align myself with the powerful? Do I seek to maintain the status quo, which I benefit from? Am I like those people who cling to power and prestige, who hastily summon a mid-night court? Am I a slave to self-interest or do I want the truth that will set me free?

There was Judas who sold the Lord for thirty pieces of silver. How am I like Judas? Where do my failings and weakness show themselves? Who or what would I betray for thirty pieces of silver?

Am I like the disciples who never quit understand? Who argue over who is the greatest, who fall asleep while Jesus prayed in fear and loneliness? Is it all about me and not about Jesus?
Have I fallen asleep in comfortable complacency?

Am like the disciple who wanted to settle everything with a sword wanting to rise my fist in anger?  Do I denied his friend, not once, but three times?   How do I deny Jesus, by the life I lead?

Am I like Pilate when I see that the situation is difficult? Do I turn my back and wash my hands of it? Do I dodge my responsibility?  Do I Find it easier sometimes to allow the innocent to be condemned?

Am I like the mob that stood at the praetorium not sure they were at a religious meeting, a trial or a circus? Caught up in the madness would I choose Barabbas?  Or, would I make the right, but hard choice, letting my voice be heard standing up against the majority?

Am I like the soldiers who strike the Lord, mock and insult him, stripping him his human dignity. In my pride and prejudice do I think only of my own dignity and my own rights? Do I accept violence in the name of law & order?

Am I like Simon of Cyrene, who was pressed into service to carry the cross? Do I do my best to carry any cross I am asked to carry? Do I carry it out of compassion or fear?
Whose cross would I not carry?

Am I like those who walked by the crucifixion and mocked the dying Jesus, asking for proof of his divinity? Do I bargain Jesus? "Come down from the cross and I will believe”.
How much proof do I need to believe? How much proof before I love like he loves me?

Am I like those fearless women, who followed Jesus, sat at his feet and helped him in his ministry? Am I like his mother, who was always there, and who suffered in silence at the foot of the Cross?

Am I like the good thief? Asking for Mercy and forgiveness or the other one who seems to ignore the forgiveness and salvation that is next to him?

Am I like Joseph of Arimathea, the hidden disciple, who honors the humanity of Jesus by giving him a good burial?

Am I like the two Mary's who loved Jesus and who remained throughout the night at the tomb, weeping and praying? What were they waiting for? What am I waiting for?

As we take the passion narrative into our hearts and minds this Holy Week, we must look at our lives, we must ask ourselves these questions and we must answer them in honesty and truth.
And when we do, do we find ourselves walking in the light of Jesus (who is the light of the world) or,

 do we find ourselves hiding in the shadows silently yelling - crucify him!