Holy Week Begins
Happy Palm Sunday!
Today we celebrate two things: first, the triumphant entry of Christ into Jerusalem, and second, the Passion of our Lord. In the case of the former, I think it is often overshadowed by the Passion. It would seem in reading Mark 11:1-10 that Jesus is finally being recognized openly as the Messiah as he enters the city! Here is an excerpt:
"Many people spread their cloaks on the road,
and others spread leafy branches
that they had cut from the fields.
Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out:
'Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!
Hosanna in the highest!'”
(Mark 11:8-10)
Despite this initial praise, though, the people turn quickly against him. After his return to Jerusalem, Jesus is not satisfied with the practices of the Jews at the time. In fact, it is at this time that Jesus goes to the Temple and overturns "the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were seling doves" (Mark 11:15). It was an event like this, along with many others, that caught the attenion of the chief priests and scribes. They were not accustomed to having their authority challenged, and so they started to look for a way that they might be able to put a stop to this Jesus fellow.
In a twist of good fortune for the chief priests, then, Judas Iscariot decided that he had something to gain by betraying Jesus to them. It was the deceit and treachory of Judas and the chief priests that led to the Passion.
As we move into Holy Week, I feel that I will spend some more time elaborating on the Passion and how it is by far the most outward sign of God's love for us. Ultimately, it is the heart of God' Promise of salvation to us. But for right now, I want to focus on what we are called to do during Holy Week. Of course, we are called to remember the life that Christ gave up for us to free us from the burden of our sins. Of course, we are called to mourn the death of our Lord and rejoice in his promised and real Resurrection. But we are called to more than this. We are called to action.
As one of my friend's so insightfully pointed out to me this evening, the Passion reminds us of the humanity of Jesus. Through the Way of the Cross, we see how Christ suffered and was weak. Despite being God, he accepted the weakness of the human form, and was subjected to one of the most cruel punishments ever devised. This weakness of Christ, this humility, should be to us a reminder of the fact that overcoming sin is a struggle. We are imperfect people. We struggle daily with our sins, but that's OK. We aren't called to be perfect. We are called to love God, honor Christ, and do our best to avoid sin. But it is inevitable that we will fall into the trap of sin. When that happens, though, we can call upon the Risen Lord, and he will pick us up. He will help us to bear our cross! Our Lord, our King, will be Simon to us and help us when we are unable to carry on under our own power.
This is more than simply a promise of aid in our times of need, though. It is also a challenge. While we each have a cross of our own to bear, we must realize that there is a good chance that somebody we know has a heavier one. It is up to us, therefore, to make sure that we are not adding to the burden of others. In fact, far from adding to others' burdens, we are called to be Simon to others, to help them carry their crosses, even while we are carrying our own.
It is my prayer for you that your actions and example may be a light to others during this Holy Week. May you be blessed with abundant graces, and may all those who encounter you leave with a lighter burden than they had before. May you be a Simon to others.
As we celebrate this Holy Week, let us always be mindful of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us that we may never die, but that we may have eternal life with Him! Glory to God and to his Son, Jesus Christ!