Readings for Sunday March 28, 2010

Palm Sunday - March 28, 2010

Gospel at the Procession according to Luke, 19: 28-40
This reading tells us about Jesus' triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. It describes how Jesus' mission is now reaching its peak. There is a sense of amazement in the air. The people there at excited as they believe that the man in front of them, the man riding the colt, the one who goes by the name of Jesus, truly is the Messiah, the Son of God.

Everyone present is touched by the Holy Spirit. All the great things they have witnessed fill their hearts with joy; they understand that what is happening around them is a one-in-a-lifetime experience, so they sing out loud, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest"

What a special moment this must have been! To witness Jesus entering Jerusalem, as the king of kings; to be able to see the prophecy turn into a reality!

When I was about 20 years old, Pope John Paul II visited Panama. We all flocked to the streets standing on the sidewalks waiting, just to see the caravan pass by. I can't remember if the sky was cloudy or not, but the one thing that I do remember is that it was very hot. And yet, we all stayed... regardless of the temperature... Seeing the Pope made it worthy... Despite the sticky bodies and despite the sweat, everyone present was wearing a big ear-to-ear smile, and the expectation to see the Pope turned the sacrifice into an opportunity.

I can only imagine, if these were our feelings in the hope to glance at Pope John Paul II, what would have been for the people outside of Jerusalem, the ones who went to see Jesus. Their hearts must have been filled with such great joy and excitement! Like children in front of candy! Back in Panama, when the "Pope-mobile" went by, children and adult threw flowers and waved white and yellow ribbons, screaming to the top of their lungs, "We love you John Paul!"... How was it there in Jerusalem? Well, the Gospel tells us that people removed their cloaks and placed them on the road, loudly honoring Jesus, the Messiah.

Such a great moment this was in Jerusalem, that even "the stones (would) cry out" at the arrival of the Messiah.

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1st Reading, from the Book of Isaiah, 50: 4-7
On this reading Isaiah talks to us about "the obedience of the Lord's servant."

How true his statements are!

The Lord "has taught me what to say, so I can strengthen the weary. Every morning he makes me eager to hear what is going to teach me."

Ain't this the truth! Before really knowing the Lord, I listened because I had been told to do so, and I spoke kindly to the weary because it was "what good girls ought to do". These days, as we educate ourselves better in the ways of the Lord, as we rediscover our faith and the Good News, we are kind, not because we have to, but because it is what comes from inside us. Kindness is now a part of us and we have so much in our heart that we must share it with others... We open our ears to the God's words because the more we know about Him, the more we want to learn from Him...

"The Lord has given me understanding, and I have not rebelled or turned away from him." And in giving us free will, the Lord has ensured that the ones who stay with Him, truly want to be there, near Him. It is not about "having to stay" near the Lord, but instead it is about "wanting to enjoy His company, wanting to be under His light, surrounded by His love."


"I bared my back to those who beat me, I did not stop them when they insulted me, when they pulled out the hairs of my beard and spit in my face. But their insults cannot hurt me because the Sovereign Lord gives me help." And for as long as we have faith in the Lord, no one can harm us. Angry people, enemies, foes, they can all raise their hands against us, they might even be able to cause pain or sadness in us, but their damage is not permanent because the Lord our God is with us, and His protection is much more powerful than all the armies on Earth.

Once we have heard the Good News, and once we have come to understand the veracity of it, we will voluntarily stay to serve God, and we will welcome our enemies with hearts filled of the pardon that can only be obtained from having opened up to the Holy Spirit.

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2nd Reading, from the letter of Paul to the Phillipians, 2: 6-11
This segment of Paul's letter describes Jesus' humility and greatness... For, to be the Son of God and yet accept to take the form of humble carpenter, and accept a faith that includes pain and suffering, just so through His suffering he could bring salvation to the world... all these factors are a true testament of Christ love for humankind.

Jesus had no need to enter our world. He did not need to become a human being or to take the nature of a servant. Jesus could have very well chosen to fulfill the prophecy dressed in garments made of the best silks; he could have chosen to live a long life in the richness of a prosper kingdom, with servants who would cater to him all day long, every day of the week...

And yet... We all know what Jesus chose. He chose to lead by example; he was born in a manger, and from humble origins he became the object of attention of scribes and Pharisees. Jesus chose to live amidst the poor and the sinners, allowing us to understand that we too can be factors of change for all others who are enduring calamities in their lives.

Jesus' experiences, the accusations, the physical pain, the betrayal of a good friend, all of them painful to the heart, the body, and the soul, can only be used as tools to help us improve our own time on this life. We are taught to be non-judgmental of others, as we do not know how or why others are in bad situations.

Jesus' compassionate ways are an example to us, of how to be good Christians. His love for others, his ability to pardon, his wisdom, and his obedient ways, are all elements that help us build a much improved person.

Just like Paul suggested to the Corinthians, he is also suggesting to the Phillipians: to become a better edition of yourselves for the glory of God Almighty.

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The Gospel according to Luke, 22:14 - 23: 56
The events described on Luke's Gospel depict the most important dinner of humankind's history. They reveal to us the events of that faithful Passover meal, and how they occurred. These events happened in order to fulfill God's prophecy about the New Covenant and about life after death.

We encounter a very human, very humble Jesus. True to his character, Jesus recognizes himself as the server of everyone who is present; he sees himself as the less important of them all. In this Gospel we are presented with agony experienced by the twelve, as self-doubt and guilt render them angry towards each other, almost as spies against same-side spies. Not knowing who will be the one betraying Jesus, is reason enough for brother to turn against brother.

Jesus knows that his hour has come and yet he remains trustworthy of his Heavenly Father's plan. He says, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done." A veritable example of faith, Jesus puts himself in God's hands, along with his hope that things could possibly change, but not by his own will but only if it is God's choosing.

The apostles too expose their frail humanity, while offering to Jesus the help that they cannot provide, eager to jump into battle to defend their Messiah, but when confronted, unable to deliver, unable to stand true to their promise of company and protection.

The beloved apostle Simon, vocal, quick in spirit, ready to uphold the fort in order to keep Jesus safe, "Lord, I am prepared to go to prison and to die with you."; he becomes the one who later on says the five painful words, "I do not know him", fulfilling Jesus' presage that it is him -Simon- and not a stranger to them, who would deny knowing the Son of Man. Indeed... Defeat, betrayal, pain... all emotions well known to men and women everywhere in the world. We believe that we are ready to face any curved ball thrown at us, and yet, our imperfect nature prevents us from recognizing our inability to stay completely faithful to our promises.

As the hours go by, the events depicted on the Gospel become somber and painful. They are leading us toward the darkest of all dark hours, and while time passes by we remain witnesses to a humble Jesus, the one suffering, who maintains his position as "the one serving" and not the one who is to be served.

The insults against Jesus continue, and a crowd approaches him. One of the twelve -Judas-, kisses Jesus signaling that this is the one that everyone is looking for. Jesus utters the question, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" And as the betrayal takes place and nervousness takes over the ones there, one of the high-priest's servants loses an ear to a sharp sword moved with skill by one of the twelve. Jesus says, "Stop, no more of this!", and touching the servant's ear, he heals it.

So many things happening in so little time. While the previous three years have gone by with relative calm, the events of the Gospel on those last few days, are crammed with emotions that seem impossible to be handled by one man alone.

Jesus is taken before Pilate and the first of three trials take place. Accusations from the crowd (the scribes, the Pharisees, and the elders of the people), state that Jesus' preachings incite them to avoid paying taxes to Ceasar; they express being offended at Jesus' suggestion that he is the Christ, a king. And under Pilate's questioning, Jesus answers, "You say so." Unable to place validity to the accusations, Pilate says, "I find this man not guilty."

And from this trial, Jesus -a Galilean-, is sent to Herod, who -for a long time- has been interested in seeing Jesus perform a miracle, a sign. Since Jesus does not perform any magical tricks, Herod and his crowd find enough reason to mock Jesus, and find grounds to insult Jesus, dressing him in a read cloak before sending him back to Pilate.

It is thanks to this exchange of Jesus, from hand to hand, that Pilate and Herod -who have been at odds with each other-, bury their animosity and become friends. So we see that even from the bad, Jesus is able to get good.

With the hours going by, Jesus ordeal, his pain and suffering, the humiliation, and the cause for sadness, all go on. He is returned to Pilate, who finding no foundation to on with Jesus' trial, voices his decision to let the man go free. And it is at this time when an angry crowd puts greater pressure on Pilate, asking for blood, claiming their wish to see Barrabas go free and Jesus be tried.

Jesus emotional state must have been heartbreaking. Only a few days ago he had been preaching the Good News, accomplishing healing miracles that did not only save the sick ones, but that also save the souls of the nearby witnesses. Only a few hours ago he had been sitting around a table celebrating Passover, sharing bread and wine with the twelve, sharing himself, his body and his blood as God's New Covenant, as God's promise of eternal life. So many things in so little time...


The Calvary has started. As the people chooses freedom for Barrabas and crucifixion for Jesus, the road to Golgotha becomes a reality. Jesus is crowned king a symbolic crown made of a wreath with thorns, and the wooden cross upon which he will be crucified is placed on his shoulders. The Son of Man, king of kings, abused, mocked, his body hurting, his mind in turmoil. And amidst all of this, his heart bleeding compassion for his fellow men, regardless of whether they are friend or foe, Jesus exudes pardon and love, mixed with his own tears, sweat, and blood.

He is whipped, he walks and falls, he can no more. His Mother watching from a distance, her heart pierced just like the old wise man has predicted 33 years before. A woman who cleans his face, a migrant who helps him carry the heavy cross. A human body ready to give in, and a strong spirit willingly obeying his Father's will. This is Jesus, the Messiah, who through his suffering, has taken on the responsibility of liberating us from our sins.

Each one of the events is required to happen, each one of the whippings, just so the pact between Jesus and humanity is strengthened.

Luke's Gospel leaves no room to vilify the villains. Even for them, there is a chance for pardon. Jesus has love for everyone and up to his last breath he continues to ask God for forgiveness for his torturers, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."

And while "the righteous" divide his garments casting lots, insulting him, mocking him, it is one of the two criminals scheduled for crucifixion along with Jesus, who asks: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." An ever forgiving and loving Jesus answers, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

What a heart! So much love! So much faith! Even as his own end nears, Jesus does not waiver in his conviction that the will of God is being fulfilled. His body, in need of rest, is ready to give in. All the lost blood, the dehydration, the exertion, have rendered his body weak, and his organs can no longer sustain life. He says, "Father, into your hands I command my spirit", and breathe his last breath.

Jesus, the Son of Man, is now dead.

Jewish tradition must be observed. Another stranger, like the one during the Calvary, freely arranges for a tomb and Jesus' body is taken there. They don't know it, but this, is not the end. This is the beginning. The sabbath has arrived and it is time to rest.