REFLECTION FOR THE PASSION SUNDAY (PALM SUNDAY), YEAR C.
1st Reading, Is. 50:4-7; 2nd Reading, Phil. 2:6-11; Gospel, Luke 22:14-23:56
My dear brothers and sisters, "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24).
HOSANNA, THE SON OF DAVID
Today is the Passion Sunday or the Palm Sunday. It is the day the Church commemorates and celebrates the triumphant entry of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem riding a Colt or an Ass as a King and fulfilling the prophecy of Zachariah, "Exult greatly, O daughter of 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" (Zech. 9:9, Jn. 12:15).
The people recognized Jesus Christ's Kingship and were exuberant with joy. They threw their cloaks over the colt and spread them on the road shouting and proclaiming, "Hosanna! Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest" (Lk. 19:38). In today's Liturgy, palm branches are blessed, and a procession is made with the branches to the Church acclaiming Jesus Christ as the King, the Messiah, and the Lord, reminiscent of the action of the Jewish crowds of the yesteryears.
CHRIST OUR MESSIAH
Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem as the King and Messiah—a Messiah who will save us through His death on the cross and eventual resurrection. The people acclaimed Him as such. The question is, do the people really understand Jesus' Kingship and Messianic role? Do they know His kind of kingship?
Jesus Christ is not the King who would rule with a mighty hand and iron fist and destroy enemies. Instead, He is the humble servant and King who would be obedient to His father's will even unto death, death on a cross. He is the Messiah who came to save God's children and lead them to eternal life. He rules, guides, protects, loves, and shows mercy even to those who call themselves His enemies and foes.
Sometimes, we tend to forget that we are followers of Christ who, though in the form of God, did not regard equality with God, as St Paul pointed out in today's second reading (Phil. 2:6-11). We tend to forget that we are the followers of the Suffering Servant as portrayed by Isaiah in the first reading (Is. 50:4-7), who gave His back to those who beat Him, His cheeks to those who plucked His beard and did not shield His face from buffets and spitting. He is not the one who destroys but the one who gives up His life. That is the identity of our King and Messiah, and HUMILITY is his hallmark.
THE UPS AND DOWNS OF CHRIST'S FOLLOWERS
It is important to point out the twist seen in today's passion narrative (Lk. 22: 14-23:56). The once joyful and exuberant crowd who shouted Hosanna and glory to the King who is to come also turned and shouted, "Away with this man! Crucify him! Crucify him"! (Lk. 23:18-21). That is the real drama. It is the interplay in the story of the life of Jesus Christ, His Kingship, and His Messianic role with His followers.
The crowd's action represents the ups and downs the followers of Jesus Christ exhibit. It shows the ups and downs of our Christian journey. Today, the Christian is super-hot and ready to do everything for Jesus Christ. The next day, they are as cold as ice, lukewarm, or unwilling to speak out, witness, stand for, and defend Jesus' courses. Most of us lack firmness and commitment to following and upholding our Christian ideals. Let us resolve to be firm in our faith and remain forever committed to witnessing to Christ.
Always remember that Jesus loves you!