Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
When the hour came . . . (Luke 22:14)
One of the best ways to read the story of Jesus’ passion is to put ourselves in his shoes. First, Jesus watched one of his own apostles betray him with a kiss. Have you ever had someone smile at you on the surface but then do something to intentionally hurt you? If so, you have had a taste of the passion. Have you ever had your best friends abandon you in a dark time? If so, you have had a taste of the passion. If you ever had people make up lies and false accusations about you in an effort to destroy your reputation, then you have had a taste of the passion. If you have ever been the brunt of terrible jokes and pranks that hurt, then you have had a taste of the passion.
Was any of this fun? No. Did it hurt you deeply? Probably. Did you get angry, feel humiliated, harbor resentment? Likely. Did you want to get even? Maybe.
At the passion, if Jesus fell prey to one split second of resentment or one moment of anger, he would not have been able to save us. Everything would have been lost. But he didn’t. Throughout this ordeal, as unjust as it was, Jesus acted like a lamb led to slaughter. He didn’t defend himself. He didn’t fight back. Instead, all Jesus did was say, “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34).
All of us will face false accusation or abuse or betrayal at some point in our lives. It’s likely that most of us already have. As we hear the passion today, let’s resolve to be as merciful as we can to everyone who has hurt us, ridiculed us, betrayed us, or tarnished our reputations. Let’s also agree never again to undermine someone or hurt someone.
Reflecting on Jesus’ passion naturally creates a moment of sorrow in us. It saddens us to see Jesus suffer and be mistreated so much. But it can also help us. We can look at the cross and ask God to help us be more forgiving—just as Jesus was.
“Lord, help me to be like you.”
Luke 19:28-40
Isaiah 50:4-7
Psalm 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24
Philippians 2:6-11
Saint Romanos Melodios (?-c 560)
composer of hymns
Hymn 32
“Blessed the King who comes in the name of the Lord” (Lk 19:38)
Seated on your throne in heaven and on a colt on earth, O Christ, you who are God, you welcomed the praise of the angels and the anthem of the children who called out to you : "Blessed are you, the one who comes to recall Adam”...
The King comes to us, humble, sitting on the foal of a donkey ; he comes with haste to suffer his Passion and take sins away. Seated on a dumb animal, the Word, the Wisdom of God, wants to save all beings endowed with reason. And all humankind can contemplate, mounted on a colt, the one who rides on the cherubim (Ps 17:10) and who once bore up Elijah on a chariot of fire. “Though he was rich,” of his own will, “he became poor” (2Co 8:9) ; in choosing weakness he gives strength to all who cry to him :” Blessed are you, the one who comes to call Adam”…
You demonstrate your strength by choosing poverty... The clothes of the disciples were a sign of this poverty, but your power was measured by the anthem of the children and the great crowd which cried : “Hosanna!"—which means : "Save!"—"Hosanna to you who are in the highest. O Almighty, save those who are humbled. Have mercy on us, in consideration of our palms ; may the palms we wave move your heart, you who come to call Adam”… “
You who are the work of my hands," the Creator answered ..., "I came to you myself. It was not the Law that was to save you since it had not created you, nor the prophets who, like you, I created. I alone can free you from your debt. I am sold for you and I free you ; I am crucified for you, and you are rescued from death. I die and I teach you to cry : " Blessed are you, the one who comes to call Adam".
Did I love the angels as much? No, it is you, the poor, whom I have cherished. I have hidden my glory and, out of my great love for you, have freely made my richness poor, . For you I suffered hunger, thirst, fatigue. I roamed the mountains, ravines and valleys looking for you, my lost sheep. I took the name of Lamb to bring you back, calling you with my shepherd’s voice. And I want to give my life for you, to tear you away from claws of the wolf. I bear everything so that you may cry out : “Blessed are you, the one who comes to call Adam”.