Readings: Is. 50:4-7; Phil. 2:6-11; Lk. 22:14-23:56
Holy Week at A Glance
1. Today is Palm Sunday. Let us look at Holy Week at a glance and all the activities that go with it before the resurrection of Christ. Palm Sunday was a joyful and triumphant day as well as a disturbing and tumultuous one for Christ. On this day Jesus was given a red-carpet reception as he entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Palm branches were used to welcome royalties in the olden days, even today in some cultures. “The palm branch symbolizes victory, triumph, peace, and eternal life originating in the ancient Near East and the Mediterranean world. So, Christ was received as a victorious king in Jerusalem with fanfare. He did not ride on a horse, a prestigious symbol of war but on a donkey, indicative of peace and humility, the trademark of the king of peace. It was not just any donkey, but one on which no one had ever sat, the prerogative of a king. Seeing Him on the donkey, the Jews surging around Him recalled the words of the Prophet Zechariah 500 years earlier: “Exult greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! Behold: your king is coming to you; a just savior is he, Humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. He shall banish the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem.” (Zec. 9:9-10). Pope Benedict XVI explained these Old Testament words as they relate to Jesus: “He is a king who destroys the weapons of war, a king of peace and a king of simplicity, a king of the poor.… Jesus is not building on violence; he is not instigating a military revolt against Rome” (‘Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week,’ Ignatius Press, 2011, pp. 81-82). People came out to receive king Jesus crying Hosanna to the Son of David.
2. The passion narrative demonstrates people playing different roles in their relationship with Jesus. Judas Iscariot betrayed him; Peter denied him while the other apostles ran away. Many in the crowd said different things about Jesus. Many other reactions and vituperations trailed him on the road to Calvary. False witnesses rose up against him, the scribes and the Pharisees called for his head. Pilate did not just condemn him to painful torture and death on the Cross, he humiliated him first by having him flogged. Women cried for him, and some men despised him. Soldiers ridiculed him, and bystanders mocked him. Holy Week was a painful one for Jesus, who suffered for our sake. Palm branches are thrown away, and Hosanna to the Son of David is replaced with “away with him, crucify him.” Yet Jesus rode to Jerusalem with love in his heart and prayer for forgiveness on his lips for his torturers. No wonder St. Paul reminded us: “For our sake he (God) made him to be sin who did not know sin so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.” (2Cor. 5:21). 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” (second reading). “Greater love than this no man has,” he tells us, “That a man should lay down his life for his friends.”(Jn. 15:13). But even within that hostile crowd, there were many acts of kindness shown to Jesus. Simon assisted Christ to carry the Cross. Veronica wiped his face. Women of Jerusalem wept for him. One of the soldiers offered him wine, albeit vinegar, when he was thirsty. His mother and other women were there at the foot of the Cross; Joseph of Arimathea offered his new tomb for his burial. What would you have done for him if you were there? You can still do it for him even now. For “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Mt. 25:40) Which character best describes you and your relationship with Jesus? Are you with Jesus or against him?
3. After the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Christ gathered his apostles for a parting meal, the first Eucharist, and the institution of the sacred priesthood. This was a demonstration of brotherly love and the giving of a new commandment, “Love one another as I have loved you.” (Jn. 13:13) The celebration takes place on Holy Thursday at the Mass of the last supper. On Good Friday we venerate the Cross of our salvation. Jesus tells us “When I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw everyone to myself.” (Jn. 12:32) “O Cross of Christ, immortal tree, on which our Savior died, the world is sheltered by your arms that bore the Crucified.”(Lenten Hymn). On Holy Saturday, we wait at the tomb of Jesus in anticipation of Easter Sunday when we will celebrate the resurrection of Christ. “O happy fault that earned so great, so glorious a Redeemer!” (Exultet). Are we ready to reciprocate Christ’s love by committing ourselves to this week of grace? Let us be grateful to Christ for his love. As we celebrate Palm Sunday today, may we look forward with joy to celebrating Christ’s resurrection and our freedom from sin and death. Amen!
Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP
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