"He emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human weakness."
(Phil 2: 6-11)
Our Lent,
as it always does, begins with palms and ends with palms. So, the palms we hold today are not just “leaves” from bushes grown for this purpose. Five weeks ago, we were marked with ashes on
our foreheads and those ashes came from the burned palm leaves as the ones we
received today. And so this week we mark
the end of Lent and the beginning of a week made holy by the events that we
will remember.
But, the
palms, or likely also olive branches with silvery-green leaves, were waived by
the adoring crowds as Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey not long after he had
raised his friend Lazarus from the dead.
It’s not a scene of sadness or betrayal, which will come in a few days,
but rather a scene of praise; a royal moment in which the frenzied population
shouted and acclaimed Jesus as their King! With all this acclamation how could
anything be better or go wrong? But, we know that not all were wild with
admiration. In fact, their wish was anything but supportive; it was ominous and
sinister.
So, our
liturgy this week takes us through praise, betrayal, rejection, abandonment,
sacrifice, service, a life poured out in pain and suffering, and final glory
and miracle. On Wednesday of this week
we hear of Judas, http://usccb.org/bible/readings/032316.cfm a trusted Apostle, who turned dark and whose spirit became
corrupted with greed.
He turns
Jesus in to the authorities who are seeking to know where he hides out with his
trusted circle. “In the olive garden below Jerusalem - in that valley at night,”
states Judas. Did he know what the real
motive for Jesus’ capture would be? It
is hard to imagine that Judas would have secretly plotted for Jesus’ demise and
death after following him for such a long time.
Judas witnessed his miracles; heard his teaching; he saw the rapt
admiration of the crowds. How could he
have gone so far to have conspired with his captors for Jesus destruction?
It is more
likely a plot gone badly. Judas was
betrayed as well. Maybe his misguided
intention was to allow Jesus the opportunity to be questioned by the Jewish
authorities, all the while hoping that Jesus would use his miraculous power to
align in overturning the Roman forces of occupation? Yet, he may have not known that the Jewish
authorities was also using him for their own dark intentions.
Nonetheless,
it was a betrayal indeed. Judas
despaired, which in the least shows his remorse but inability to seek
forgiveness from the one who surely would have offered it to him.
Even sadder,
we know of Jesus’ “rock” – Peter who perhaps even more than Judas betrayed our
Lord outright. Not in a secret plot but
boldly, out loud, three times that he even knew Jesus at all! At least Judas
did not deny that he knew Jesus quite well.
Peter, in cowardly weakness, disavowed himself and turned so regrettably
to an action that brought him to weep and deeply regret but thankfully, not to
despair. And Jesus forgave him along the
Sea of Galilee after he appeared in risen form – “Peter, do you love me?”
Three times to redeem Peter and prepare him for the
mission ahead, the risen Lord commanded Peter: “Feed my sheep”
Thursday,
called Holy, we see the profound humility of God we hear of on Palm Sunday in
our Second reading from Philippians 2: 6-11: “He humbled himself, taking on the form of a slave . . .” And so
Jesus washes the feet of his disciples, among whom we could assume Judas was
included. God washed their feet as an
unforgettable example of love poured out for others. Then he further gave him his body and blood
in the Eucharist and forever commissioned them to “Do this in memory of me.”
We move
then to the central image of the Christian faith, the cross, known in ancient
times as the most tortuous and barbaric death reserved for the most hardened
criminals. Why did Jesus die in spite of
his innocence? Scholars tell us it was
the charge of blasphemy brought against him; that he claimed to be equal to
God, and implied that indeed he is God among us. The greatest violation of the
First Commandment was to claim to be God or equal to him; a charge deserving of
death. And so, this death was for that
eternal truth and so the Cross is forever a sign of hope and salvation for
humanity.
+ + +
Our dramatic
week reaches its ultimate peak next Saturday at the Evening Vigil – the central
celebration of the entire Liturgical Year is that sacred night at which new
members are washed in baptism and anointed with the Chrism in Confirmation,
then feed on Christ himself in the Holy Eucharist. We hear the stories of salvation from the Old
Testament and the unexpected confusion turned to joy from the empty tomb of
Jesus to his appearance to Mary Magdalen and all Easter season to the awestruck
Apostles.
It is
unlike any other time of year. If you
can, plan to attend all the Holy Week Services.
Yes, you will spend more time in Church this week and yes the services
will be longer than normal. Remember no one ever died of “terminal Church.” Your
family or relatives or neighbors might brand you as somehow overly religious if
you do so – or even if you come to Good Friday in addition to Easter Vigil or
Sunday. But, it is an opportunity to
evangelize and to show the depth to which God gave his life on the Cross for
you and for them. Invite them to come with you.
So, let’s
give thanks and pray for the grace to come to resurrection – a Sunday of
miracle and renewed faith along with our newest members.
Peace to
all. More will come . . .
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