Palm Sunday - Year C

This week we celebrate Palm Sunday, the only time of the year when we hear two Gospel readings. The first is the account of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the latter is of His rejection, humiliation and destruction.

In the former He is met with green branches and cheering crowds. People throw down their cloaks on the ground as He passes by, riding on a humble beast of burden.

In the latter He is crowned with thorns, His clothing is stripped from Him, and he is jeered by the crowd as he carries the heavy burden of the cross, and with it our sinfulness.

In one they cry out Hosanna - Lord save us. In the other they cry out derisively, 'If he is the Christ, let him save himself.'

What a short distance it is from the Palm Sunday road to the Way of the Cross. How on earth did we get here?

If we consider the characters that play an integral role in Luke's account of the Passion we can go some way to understanding.

Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, is now the provincial ruler of Galilee. His authority though is entirely dependent on Rome. He puts God to the test. Prove to me that you can do what I ask, maybe then I'll have time for you.

The Chief Priests and Scribes jealously guard their positions of power and influence, and Jesus' focus on bringing the poor and vulnerable in from the margins is a challenge to the order of their lives that they resist vehemently and forcefully.

Pilate, Rome's man at the edge of the empire, had only one real concern. To quell any disturbance that would bring him to the attention of Ceasar. He acknowledges Jesus' innocence but would rather sacrifice one guiltless man to save himself.

Please, don't get me wrong. Our salvation is effected by Christ's willingness to lay down His life for us. In this He is not a victim. But the enormity of His suffering has been exacerbated by the relentless self-interest of those with no time for God.

Throughout Lent we have been called to reflect on our own self-interest, and our own denial of God. In this Holy Week we are now confronted with the result of our failings in the most graphic way.

As I walk away from Mass this weekend with one of the palms - a small token of Christ's journey onto the path my actions and inaction have paved for him - I will put it in a prominent place, one where I cannot miss it. And I will pray that, as its vibrant green fades to grey, I can let go of the selfishness that has made His suffering necessary.

Hosanna Lord, save me from myself.

For I am wholly weak.

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