Passion (Palm) Sunday
Intro: The drama of Holy Week, the last week of our Lord's life here on earth, is about to begin. As Pilate asks the crowd to choose between Jesus and Barabbas, he acts like a market trader bargaining in commodities rather than people, denying Jesus and Barabbas both their human rights and their dignity. Today's joy is tempered by the sorrow of Good Friday but will restored again by the glory of Easter. Let us walk with the Master, bearing in mind that His journey to Calvary will ultimately lead to the glory of His resurrection, and ours.
Readings: Isaiah portrays the sufferings of the mysterious "suffering servant of Jahweh" who will be vindicated through His resurrection.
Paul's letter to the Philippians details the extent to which God goes to save us - His Son became man, humbling Himself to accepting death on a cross, from which God raised Him to become Lord of all.
Procession Gospel, Mt. 21: 1-11,
Passion Gospel: Mt. 26:14 - 27:66;
There was nothing more Jesus could do in order to show His oneness with us. To be spat upon, struck, made to look a fool; to be shouted at, falsely accused, beaten up and flogged almost to death; to be tormented and treated like so much rubbish, reduced to nothing and then crucified, executed before being placed in a tomb where - hopefully! - He and His dreams might be forgotten.
Throughout the whole drama, Jesus bears Himself with great dignity. He is neither aggressive nor timid and cowardly, victimised, an object of scorn, yet the only
honest person in the whole scenario.
The passion narrative grips us because it encompasses the best and the worst of human nature: can we empathise with the plight of Judas, who tries to undo his terrible mistake, but finds that it's too late? Can we blame the disciples who fell asleep while they were supposed to be keeping their Master company? Did Peter act unreasonably when he cut off the ear of Malchus, the High Priest's servant? Only to be told to put his sword back in its scabbard because "those who live by the sword shall die by the sword" before finally denying his Master.
And what about us? Do we recognise some element of ourselves in the cheering crowd, cheering for a Messiah who would free them from the oppression of Rome, yet turning so quickly into a jeering crowd, baying for that same Messiah's blood; the Roman soldiers, given the dirty job of executing criminals; the thieves who taunted a fellow-sufferer; those same disciples who had protested their loyalty, only to disappear at the first hint of trouble.
There's something of each passion character in every one of us. And as we collect our palms eventually, we can recognise the cross mirrored in us, the universal
family of the people of God. No matter how badly we fail, in whatever way, even if it means failing the Lord, there is always room for forgiveness. And even if we desert Him and run away, He will always be longing to welcome us back.
Intercessions
God the Father showed the depth of His love for us in the life, death and resurrection of His Son. As we move into Holy Week, we place before the Lord our prayers and petitions, secure in the knowledge of His love for us, confident that He will hear and understand our inmost thoughts:-
1. For our holy Father, his fellow bishops and all priests. May they always reflect in their lives and actions the ministry of service which Jesus showed - Lord, hear us.
2. For governments and rulers throughout the world. May they treat all sections of their communities with dignity and justice, forsaking cruelty and torture-Lord, hear us.
3. For those who feel that You, the Church or their own families, have abandoned them. May they become more aware of Your healing presence constantly touching their lives - Lord, hear us.
4. For ourselves. In this busy week which lies ahead of us, may we too stop, remember and proclaim that Jesus Your Son is the risen Lord of life and death - Lord, hear us.
5. May Frances Brownlee, Susan Stewart and Rita Murray who have died recently, together with Bernard Kelly and Paul Herrity whose anniversaries we commemorate at this time, arise to new life in the company of the risen Lord - Lord, hear us.
God our Father, we ask You to be with us as we accompany Your Son through His passion, death and resurrection. Deepen our understanding of His tremendous love for us, so that we may truly serve You, and those around us, as He showed us.