Palm Sunday 2011
Isaiah 50:4-7
Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
Philippians 2:6-11
Matthew 14--27:66 or 27:11-54
Remembering is a word and thought that comes to us when we think about the life and death of a member of our family Today we remember another death. This person died violently, suddenly, but not senselessly. It is the death of Jesus Christ. To those who do not know or believe in Jesus, there is no respect since Jesus died as a criminal. But for believers, his death is at the heart of who we are as Catholics. He chose to die to make up for all of us. We just participated in a Bible reading of His last supper, his trial and then his death by crucifixion.
Each gospel reading in the past weekends heightens the dramatic tension of a story whose climax we have known since childhood. In most of these readings we had the feeling that sooner or later someone would plan to get rid of Jesus. The people he was talking to found no place in their heart for him. They throw stones at him. He escape by going across the Jordon river, the same place where he was Baptised as a young man. Jesus was accused of making himself greater than Abraham and the prophets. Indeed, he proclaimed himself to be God’s son.
Today and Good Friday are the only two times in the whole year when we participate in the bible readings. St. Matthew traces the way in which Christ fulfils the prophecies of the Old Testament. His gospel alone mentions Judas' death. Jesus' silence before Pilate and his burial in the tomb of the wealthy Joseph are fulfilment of words of Isaiah.
Pilate's question: WHAT IS TRUTH? reflects the distressing perplexity of a person who no longer knows who he is. Why did Pilate or Judas or some of the crowd behave the way they did? Why do we behave the way that we do? Basically, Pilate and his associates were afraid of Jesus. Fear can make us do a lot of things we should not do. Being afraid often controls our decisions. And fear can led to anger.
As we take a close look at today's Gospel we find that Every personality in it is influenced by fear in one form or another. Some fears are easily recognizable because they are the same ones that paralyze us at times.
Take a look at the characters.
Judas, fearing that he may be in the wrong ball game, betrays Christ only to experience a deep despair.
The disciples enjoy the final meal but are afraid of loss of status, and so begin jockeying for places at the front. Later, they have to face their fear of lasting commitment as they run away from suffering.
Pilate was afraid of losing power and prestige.
The established religious leaders were afraid of their positions being taken over by Jesus. this newcomer.
The crowds and the soldiers were afraid of going against public opinion. Many people were afraid of Jesus. They all tried to beat him into submission. They tried to destroy him so that their values and their way of life were no longer challenged.
As we go through Holy Week this year we need not fear because Jesus has taken away all fear for those who go to him. And if our faith in Jesus has not been strong enough for it to convince us of the love of Jesus, then Holy Week can also be a time for our own spiritual healing. Often we have sung a Catholic hymn BE NOT AFRAID. Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come follow me, and I will give you rest.
Palm branches are a reminder of Holy Week and the end of Lent. The palm branches that you will bring home with you serve as a symbol of life, hope and victory. This tradition goes back to the very early years of the Catholic Church. In the early afternoon Christians of Jerusalem would gather on the Mount of Olives for a rather lengthy reading of the Bible which lasted for hours!. As evening came they would process into Jerusalem carrying palm or olive branches. Christians began to believe that the blessed palm branches had great power. Like the crucifix that you display in your home, and ashes on Ash Wednesday, palm branches in your home says to visitors that you believe and you follow Jesus Christ.
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