Trust in the face of trial

 Homily: Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion – Cycle C

          Friends, once again, as we celebrate this Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, we are confronted with the confusing conflict that was central to our Lord’s suffering and death: that, in Jerusalem on that fateful Passover feast, there were both those who had come to believe that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah and those who did not believe, but rather thought he was a charlatan who needed to be silenced.  This year, we recall Saint Luke’s account of Jesus’ Passion, which highlights in a comprehensive way the religious leaders’ rejection of Jesus.  Let us reflect briefly on it as a way to invite ourselves into deeper reflection this Holy Week.

          As we know from the scriptures, the chief priests and the scribes were learned men: they had studied and knew the Law of Moses and the writings of the prophets.  Thus, they had everything that they needed to discern who Jesus was by listening to his teaching and by observing the signs he was performing, and then comparing it to all of the teachings and prophecies referring to the Messiah.  In other words, had they been truly hoping to see the coming of the Messiah, they could have discerned that Jesus was he; since they, more than the others, had studied all that had been written about him and his coming.

          Instead of openness, however, they let their anxiety over ensuring strict observance of the precepts of the Law, and over the threat of oppression from their Roman occupiers, close their minds and hearts.  Now, it doesn’t say so in the Gospel, but I wonder how much of their attitude toward Jesus was like what happened with Pharaoh in the Book of Exodus: there it says that, with each sign that Moses performed, “God made Pharaoh obstinate and he would not let the people go”.  God did this so that he could truly be glorified in the Passover.  Did God make the chief priests and the scribes “obstinate” so that his plan to redeem the human race could be fulfilled in Jesus?  I can’t say.  Nevertheless, three times Pilate tried to release Jesus, but they refused to accept his judgment.  Rather, they obstinately pressed Pilate to condemn him to death by crucifixion.

          We know that this led to another Passover glory, but did it have to be so?  Our faith tells us, “yes”, because that is the way it did happen and so it was truly the way God willed it.  But perhaps we have to ask ourselves: “How open are we to seeing God’s plan working in us when we are burdened with anxiety?”  Or, in other words, “Can we trust that God is working for our good in the midst of the tragedies of our lives?”  You don’t have to answer today.  Rather, this week invites us to consider this question once again, in the light of our reflection on the Passion of Jesus, and to renew our trust: a trust that is confirmed for us in the glory of Christ’s resurrection.

          And so, as we give thanks to the Father in this Eucharist, let us open our hearts to be united to Jesus’ in trust, so that we might experience the fruit of his Passion: which is the glory of his Resurrection.

Given in Spanish at St. Joseph Parish: Rochester, IN – April 13^th, 2025