Palm Sunday C 2007

Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem

was the beginning of his Passion.

Before that he tried to keep a low profile.

He didn’t mind people calling him a teacher,

he even allowed them to celebrate his healing miracles sometimes,

but he always moved away when they wanted to make him a leader, were calling him a king.

On this day he was different.

He no longer avoided the authorities,

he was on his way to meet them openly and

he was ready for the big confrontation.

From here on two parallel events would unfold,

one as understood by the people and one as understood by Jesus. His followers saw him lose his freedom,

lose control over events and finally lose his life,

the end of their hopes, the death of their dreams.

The authorities saw themselves gaining control of the situation, getting rid of a man who was threatening their power base

and the balance of power.

Meanwhile Jesus was moving with the events purposefully

and fully in control of his destiny as the Saviour,

accepting the painful experience of rejection, calumny, humiliation, torture and death for the sake of love;

knowing full well that death will not be able to hold him,

that when he had released his divine powers

he would burst out of death like an atomic explosion. 

Let us remember that death will not hold us either.

Being close to him and in the love of God

that is beyond all understanding

we will join him

and experience the full depth and breath of the life that is God.