Palm Sunday – Year C
April 13, 2025 – 10:30 AM
Luke 19:28-40
Isaiah 50:4-7 | Psalm 22:8-9;17-20; 23-24
Philippians 2:6-11 | Luke 22:66-23:56
+In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, AMEN.
Katen, the colt, was delighted when Jesus chose him to ride through Jerusalem. The young donkey and his mother not only experienced the cheering crowds, but also witnessed the persecution and suffering of Jesus.
You have probably heard it said on more than one occasion that “Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem to protest against the Jews, to tell them that He would not be the military king that they desired.” According to this view, Jesus chose to ride a donkey to signal that He was a man of peace and that He would not be acting in the way the Jews expected the Messiah to act. According to biblical scholar John T. Squires, Jesus never did and never would ride a horse. Nor would the Jewish people expect Him to ride a horse which is a mighty weapon of war. According to the Prophet Zechariah, “the victorious ruler does not ride a horse; he comes riding on a donkey; his dominion shall be from sea to sea and the River to the ends of the earth. This ruler arrives “triumphant, victorious, and humble, riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
The Passion begins with the betrayal of Jesus and recounts his arrest, trial, and crucifixion. It tells of Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He prays fervently to God for strength and courage to fulfill His mission. The betrayal by Judas, the denial by Peter, and the mockery and humiliation endured by Jesus during His trial highlights the depths of human sin and the suffering of the innocent.
The role of Pontius Pilate, who ultimately condemns Jesus to death despite finding no fault in Him, emphasizes the complicity of evil political power in the unjust crucifixion of the Son of God lives on in infamy. We can see this today in some of our rulers who do what’s popular instead of what’s right. Inflicting suffering on another person not well-liked by others is an ongoing sin in our world.
The first reading from the Prophet Isaiah foretells the suffering servant who will offer Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the people, and provides a backdrop for understanding the redemptive nature of Jesus’ sacrifice. This brings to light the concept of atonement and how Jesus’ death on the cross reconciles humanity with God, restoring the broken relationship caused by sin. Jesus invites all to participate in the salvation offered through The Passion.
The Passion of Jesus, depicting the events leading up to and including the crucifixion, holds immense cultural significance for Christians all around the world. This religious narrative has been portrayed in various forms of art, literature, music, and film, shaping the beliefs and practices of millions of believers. The cultural implications surrounding the Passion of Christ are quite profound, reflecting themes of reconciliation and redemption.
An important implication of the Passion is the theme of redemption. What is redemption in its theological sense? It is deliverance from spiritual oppression. It is the deliverance of humanity from sin, death, and the Devil. The crucifixion is often interpreted as a symbol of redemption, with Jesus’ death seen as a necessary step towards the restoration of humanity’s relationship with God. This concept of redemption has had a profound impact on Christian art, music, and literature, inspiring countless works that explore themes of grace, forgiveness, and salvation. The story of the Passion continues to serve as a source of hope and inspiration for spiritual renewal and transformation.
The Passion has been retold and interpreted in countless ways over centuries, serving as a source of inspiration and moral guidance for generations and generations. It continues to be a central and influential aspect of Christian culture, shaping the beliefs, practices, and values of millions of people around the world.
The Passion calls us to reflect on our own complicity in the suffering of Jesus. Are our own sins contributing to the ongoing crucifixion of Jesus in the world? Are we responsible for harboring acts of injustice, violence, and indifference or apathy to the suffering of others, thereby contributing to the ongoing crucifixion of Jesus? This reflection calls for a response of repentance and conversion as we are called to embrace the message of the Gospel and live out the example of Jesus’ sacrificial love in our lives. We are encouraged today to take up our cross and follow Jesus, imitating His humility, compassion, and willingness to suffer for the sake of others.
The Passion also reveals the solidarity of Jesus with all those who suffer, particularly the marginalized and oppressed. It is important to make note of the presence of the women who accompany Jesus on the way to the cross and at the crucifixion: Mary, the mother of Jesus and her sister, Mary Magdalene, Salome, the wife of Zebedee and mother of James and John, Mary, the mother of James the younger and Joseph, Veronica who wiped Jesus’ face as He went to Calvary, as well as the criminals who were crucified beside Him, highlighting the shared experience to pain and suffering that unites all humanity.
Through His own suffering, Jesus offers a model of solidarity and compassion that challenges everyone to stand together with the poor, the marginalized, the disabled and the oppressed, bearing their burdens and working for justice and peace in the world. This aspect of the Passion underscores the social implications of Jesus’ message of calling the faithful to solidarity and service to others and to call out the evil of those who berate, discredit, harm, and persecute others.
As we prepare for Holy Week let us be mindful to spend time in prayer and reflection. By focusing on spiritual renewal through redemption, forgiveness and reconciliation, may we deepen our understanding of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection. AMEN.