The Paradox of Palm Sunday

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

          Today we stand in the midst of a paradox.  We celebrate both the triumphal entry of Jesus to Jerusalem—and the acknowledgement of God’s people that he is the Messiah, the one they had been waiting for—and, minutes later, we are celebrating his sorrowful passion and death on the Cross.  Both joy and suffering mix together in today’s liturgy and I suspect, that is, if we are paying attention, that we could be feeling somewhat confused.  Why, on Palm Sunday, would we also read the account of Our Lord’s Passion?  I mean, why can’t we just celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry to Jerusalem?

          I think that the Church gives us the answer in setting this liturgy up the way it has.  You see, in celebrating the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem as well as his passion and death, the Church is reminding us that Jesus’ triumph cannot be separated from the Cross.  In other words, we don’t get the triumph without the trial.

          Most of us, however, could probably agree with that.  “No cross, no crown” Saint Augustine has said.  So, why the triumphal entry and then the cross?  Isn’t that backwards?  Logically, yes it is backwards.  Theologically, however, I think that it makes sense.  You see, when Jesus entered into Jerusalem that final time and was hailed as Messiah a very clear message was sent: no longer could you just “sign-off” this itinerant preacher from Galilee, but rather you either had to accept him as the Messiah or condemn him as a blasphemer.  The religious authorities decided to condemn him, thus setting into motion the events that would confirm who Jesus was: the king who has come to save God’s people, even if they weren’t expecting that their salvation would be won by his death on the Cross.  This is the true Messianic fulfillment: the king who made himself the sacrifice to expiate the sins of his people.

          Thus, as we enter into this most holy week of the year—especially this year as we celebrate this Jubilee Year of Mercy—let us take time this week to meditate on the Passion of our Lord, recognizing in it the incredible mercy that God has poured out upon us; and may it form us to then go forth and pour out mercy on others.  Because, when we enter into Christ’s passion in this way—emptying ourselves for others like he did on the cross—we open ourselves to being exalted as he was.  More than that, however, when we empty ourselves like Christ did, we also open ourselves to discover him: Jesus Christ our king, who laid down his life so that we might live.  Thus emptied of ourselves, we become truly ready to experience the joy that comes after suffering: the joy of the Resurrection that awaits us on Easter Sunday.

Given at All Saints Parish: Logansport, IN – March 19th & 20th, 2016