Word to the Wise
Sunday, April 5, 2020 - Palm Sunday: At the Mass - ABC
[Isa 50:4-7; Phil 2:6-11; A: Matt 26:14 - 27:66 or 27:11-54 B: Mark 14:1 - 15:47 or 15:1-39 C: Luke 22:14 - 23:56 or 23:1-49,163]The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while other cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road. The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying: "Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest." And when he entered Jerusalem the whole city was shaken and asked, "Who is this?" And the crowds replied, "This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee." [Matthew]
This will be a Palm Sunday like no other in the lives of most of us. The churches are closed. The distribution of palms is prohibited because of fear of the coronavirus pandemic. The faithful are urged to attend Mass through the televised or livestreamed services and to go out into their yard (for those who have one) and pick some kind of foliage to wave! It is much like reading a play instead of participating in it, even if the play itself is a symbolic re-enactment! Yet our imaginations can be great resources for our celebration, even if we cannot leave our own homes!
Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey to some popular acclaim. He will leave Jerusalem bearing a cross with jeers and denunciation ringing in his ears. He will "re-enter" Jerusalem in the "upper room" after his resurrection. This is the fundamental structure of the week. The prophet Isaiah will provide some somber background music with his "songs of the suffering servant," one of which forms the first scripture for today's Mass. Further in the background, celebrated on Holy Thursday, is the celebration of the Passover meal which commemorates the deliverance of the children of Israel from Egypt. Jesus will give it a new meaning that we celebrate at every Eucharist, even if we are unable to do so completely in this terrible time. Our imaginations will be our resource. On Good Friday, we will hear the Passion According to John, a truly dramatic masterpiece. We will pray for so many, especially those who are victims of the pandemic and their care-givers. We will be asked to find a cross or crucifix in our home and venerate it at the appropriate moment. Some families will celebrate the Stations of the Cross in their homes. Then the church's ancient tradition of "spiritual communion" will provide us with a special communion with the Lord. Even with the resource of a livestreamed ceremony, our imaginations are a great resource
On Holy Saturday, we will keep vigil and celebrate the resurrection of the Lord and the gift of new life in baptism that we have all received, and pray for those who desire this and because of the pandemic may have to postpone the action. At least we can light a special candle in our homes and read the "Exultet" hymn of praise in celebration of the Lord's Resurrection.
The coronavirus pandemic may keep us physically distant, but it cannot prevent us from being spiritually united with one another in this holy time. God has given us an imagination. The church will provide as much ceremony by internet as possible. Holy Week and Easter are not postponed. We can still sing "Hosanna" and ultimately "Alleluia!" AMEN
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