Word to the Wise
Sunday, April 1, 2007 - Palm Sunday of the Lord's Resurrection
[Mass: Isaiah 50:4-7; Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 22:14-23:56]Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
The overture to an opera or musical often will feature the major musical themes or "theme songs" of the whole show. Indeed it is meant to make us eager for the particular moments when we will hear the songs themselves. At the same time, an overture can take on a life of itself as a piece of music. Overtures to operas by Rossini are probably heard more often than the operas! In any case, Palm Sunday fulfills both descriptions. It contains a review of all that will happen in Holy Week but it also has a life of its own. All of the scriptures for the Eucharist could be heard on any day of the week right up to Easter Sunday. Isaiah's almost eerie accuracy in his description of the Suffering Servant, St. Paul's sober words, "even death on a cross....," and the Passion According to Luke give us a panoramic view of the sacred events that lie ahead in this week. The Entrance rite, however, is what gives Palm Sunday a life of its own. The procession with palm fronds is an invitation to "join the crowd" as observer and participant. On one level, our lines are simple. Today we sing "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" On Good Friday, we shout: "Crucify him! Crucify him!" It not only makes us a member of the crowd, but we will seem like Peter who protests his loyalty and then denies that he knows Jesus! We are not simply members of an audience sitting passively but with interest in our seats, we are part of the play. That piece of palm that you take home can serve as a reminder during this week (and throughout the year) that someone showed (and shows) great love for us. Taking part as much as possible in the liturgical celebrations this week can draw us even deeper into that love and suffering and triumphant Resurrection of Jesus. It is a drama of our own life. AMEN
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