Palm Sunday Reflection

Have you ever heard someone say, “He speaks out of both sides of his mouth”? Chances are, we have. Sometimes it seems someone says one thing one day, then something different another. Sometimes we seem to be strong in our convictions; and then at other times, we just want to go along with the crowd.

On this Palm Sunday, we have two Gospel readings to ponder. In the opening Gospel from St. John, we hear the peoples proclaiming Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. The scene would be very overwhelming for most of us. It is almost as if Jesus was receiving “rock-star” treatment, to put it in today’s vernacular. Jesus fully understands that this is not the glory and praise He came for. No, this would have to wait for another day.

And then we come to the Passion from the Gospel of Mark. And what do we hear from the mouths of the people now? We hear, “Crucify Him, Crucify Him”. The same people; from the same mouth, now join the leaders and the crowd in asking for His death. How appropriate that at these lines in the Gospel, we all recite the same words, “Crucify Him”.

It serves as a reminder that fully aware of Christ life, death and resurrection; fully aware of his great act of love for us, we still sin, we still turn away from Him from time to time.

Acknowledging this fact, however, we can leave here today, prepared to celebrate Holy Week realizing that we can always return to Him and receive His love and mercy. How does our lengthy Passion narrative end? Like the centurion, we stand at the foot of the cross, a sinner. But we too can join the centurion in proclaiming in faith and truth: “Truly this man was the Son of God!” Indeed, we say, Truly, Jesus you are the Son of God.

May our preparation for the holy days that lie ahead include our desire to be humble, like Christ was humble, becoming obedient to the point of death. May our humility allow us to boldly empty ourselves of worldly things and be filled with the gifts that come to us from above. May our humility help us to boldly proclaim, “Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”