Readings:
Is. 50:4-7; Phil 2:6-11; Mt. 26:14-27,66
The
Journey of Salvation began on Palm Sunday
Today is Palm
Sunday, or the passion of Christ and the beginning of Holy Week. Palm Sunday is
a joyful and jubilant celebration but also a very difficult day for Christ.
Today Jesus was given a red-carpet reception as he entered Jerusalem riding on
a donkey. The use of palm branches to welcome royalties is an old tradition in
olden days and even today in some cultures. “The palm branch is a symbol of
victory, triumph, peace, and eternal life originating in the ancient Near East
and Mediterranean world. The palm was sacred in Mesopotamian regions, and in
ancient Egypt represented immortality. A palm branch was awarded to victorious
athletes in ancient Greece, and a palm frond or tree itself is one of the most
common attributes of victory personified in Ancient Rome.” So, Christ was
received this day, as a victorious king into Jerusalem. He did not ride a horse
- a prestigious symbol of war, but a donkey, indicative of peace and humility –
He is the king of peace.
This year, we will
not witness this triumphant entry into Jerusalem with procession and palm
branches. Mass of Chrism is postponed, the celebration of the Sacraments
suspended, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter-vigil and Easter Sunday will only
be live-streamed through Facebook and other social media platforms. Once again,
the world is brought to a stand-still, because of a tiny virus that cannot even
be seen by the naked eye. We have all run into the upper room, waiting for the
intervention from above, for the Spirit to break our burdens, bring us a cure
and set us free. Now more than ever, we must storm the heavens and plead for
mercy, so that the solution to this virus may be found. We must stay indoors,
like the children of Israel during the Passover, who sprinkled the lintel and
the two door-posts of their houses with the blood of the lamb; so that the Lord
will pass over their doors and not let the destroyer come into their houses to
strike them down. (Ex. 12:23).
The passion
narrative from Matthew’s Gospel today, displays many characters, playing
different roles, in their relationship with Jesus. Judas Iscariot betrayed him;
Peter denied him; the other apostles ran away, leaving him all alone. But
Christ relied on His Father: “The Lord God is my help therefore I am not
disgraced.” (Is. 50:7). Many discordant voices, reactions and insults
trailed Jesus on the road to Calvary. False witnesses arose against him, the
Scribes and the Pharisees wanted him dead. Pilate did not only condemn him to a
painful torture and crucifixion, he humiliated him first by having him flogged.
Women cried for him while men despised him. Soldiers ridiculed him, and
bystanders mocked him. Palm branches were thrown away, and Hosanna to the Son
of David was replaced with “away with him, crucify him”. Yet Jesus rides on to
Jerusalem, with love in his heart and prayer for forgiveness on his lips for
his murderers. Yes, “He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Phil.
2:7-8).
“O Cross of
Christ, immortal tree, on which our Savior died, the world is sheltered by your
arms that bore the Crucified.”
(Lenten Hymn). In all this we recall God’s love for humanity, through the
obedience of His Son Jesus Christ on the cross. Oh! how much did he love us! “Greater
love than this no man has, that a man should lay down his life for his
friends.” (Jn. 15:13). The love of Jesus for mankind calls for love in
return for love. This love is creative, understanding for humanity. Christ’s
love is redemptive. It is salvific. It is sacrificial. It goes above and beyond
emotions to the very heart of God, who “Gave his only Son, so that
everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”
(Jn. 3:16). Christ’s love culminated in his death on the cross. He reminds us, “Whoever
wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”
(Mk. 8:34). It is in the understanding of this love that our current situation
makes sense to us. We don’t have to be in Church to put His love into action.
This stay-home
period to stop the spread of coronavirus, for our sake and that of our loved
ones, calls for sober reflection and contemplation. It is a time to ponder
Christ’s love for humanity. Do we remain calm in the face of pain, isolation,
frustration, suffering or death, as this virus eats deep into the fabric of our
lives? Do we pray for forgiveness and repentance for our sins and the sins of
the world? Do we forgive others as we want God to forgive us? Do we seek God’s
mercy and forgiveness for the times we have offended Him and others? What does
Christ’s love remind us of when we tell lies to cover our iniquities? Are we
faithful to our spouses or our significant others? Have we used this period to
get closer to our families in prayer, in love and in charity? Have we used this
time to bond with our children, friends or those we have separated ourselves
from? Has this period created a spiritual fertile ground for us and our
families? Do we pray together, read the bible together, say the rosary together
and mediate on the passion of Christ as we recall His love?
We can do all
these and more, while looking forward to being together again after
coronavirus. Not going to Church should not be an excuse not to bond, to pray
and to love. Christ did not die for a building we call church; He died for you
and me. He died for us. We are the Church, not just the building, but as the
children of God, we make up the body of Christ the Church. “Now you are
Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.” (1 Cor. 12:27). Let us
listen again to the words of Jesus addressed to the Samaritan woman at the
well, “Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the
Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You people worship what you
do not understand; we worship what we understand... But the hour is coming, and
is now here, when true worshippers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth;
and indeed, the Father seeks such people to worship him.” (Jn.
4:21-23). Are we ready to worship the Father in Spirit and in truth and
reciprocate his love by committing ourselves to this Holy week of grace and
mercy? May we be grateful to Christ for loving us. As we celebrate Palm Sunday
today, may we see in the coronavirus pandemic our own Good Friday believing that
Easter Sunday is right-round the corner. “Let us give thanks to the Lord
for everything, for “His anger lasts only a moment, his goodness for a
lifetime. Tears may flow in the night, but joy comes in the morning.”
(Ps. 30:5). Let us thank all those who are working round the clock to keep us
safe. Let us also appreciate with love, our spiritual and temporal leaders, who
provide us with guidelines that we so much rely on at this time. May we all
live to see the end of this virus. And may God give eternal life to the dead
and consolation to those who mourn them. Amen!
Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP
