Word to the Wise
Sunday, March 24, 2024 - 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]I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. [Isaiah] 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. [Philippians] While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, "Take it; this is my body." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many." [Mark]
Today is Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord. The whole title is important because this Sunday is the opening act of the drama of the reenactment of God's plan of salvation. Isaiah's prophecy, known as one of the "songs of the suffering servant" alerts us to the centuries of time in which this plan has unfolded and reaches its climax in the events of Holy Week. St. Paul's hymn from the Letter to the Philippians gives us an even broader context of eternity in speaking of Christ Jesus taking on human flesh in human history and accepting ultimate terrible death for us - "even death on a cross!" Isaiah and Paul represent the efforts of the early Christian community to come to terms with Jesus' death and resurrection. This reflection would take place AFTER the events which are recounted in the Passion as recorded in the four gospels. This year, we hear the Passion According to St. Mark today and St. John on Good Friday.
The success of any great drama is in its ability to draw those who witness it into the drama itself and not be mere spectators. It is not ancient history that we are celebrating today and throughout Holy Week. The drama of salvation happens now as we are drawn into the experience, whether on Palm Sunday or in the Stations of the Cross. Isaiah and Paul give us two ways of reflecting on these events, but ultimately we must find a meaning for ourselves in the sequence of events: anointing at Bethany, entry into Jerusalem, washing of feet, bread and wine as body and blood, betrayal by two disciples (Judas and Peter). interrogations by Jewish and political authorities, crucifixion and death, the empty tomb, the road to Emmaus, the appearances in the upper room - all of which lead us ultimately to Pentecost and our baptismal commission.
Some will watch the series, The Chosen. Others may see Mel Gibson's THE PASSION. But these cannot replace our liturgical experience which unites us with the apostles, other disciples and Christians throughout the centuries in recalling and living what Christ has done for us. AMEN