OSF Reflection: Palm Sunday

1^ST Reading: Isaiah 50: 4 – 7

Responsorial Psalm: 22: 8-9, 17-20, 23-24a

2^ND Reading: Philippians 2: 6 – 11

Gospel: Matthew 26: 14 – 27:66

 

REFLECTION:  Isaiah – “I gave my back to those who beat me; the Lord God is my help.”  Yet in the Garden he prays, “My God, why have you forsaken me?”  What had started off with crowds of followers waving palm branches and cheering for their hero, and Jesus having dinner with his closest friends, all went downhill quickly.  First, a disciple sold him out for pocket change.  Then his loyal friends fell asleep when he most needed their support. 

 

We judge very harshly those who surrounded Jesus at his arrest and trial.  How could they choose a murderer, Barabbas, over the Messiah?  How could his followers abandon him, or, in the case of Peter, the “Rock”, how could he deny knowing him three times?  But even this betrayal would be forgiven.  I have often felt pity for Judas, not believing that he could be forgiven.  But I have often pictured Peter, standing somewhere in the crowd on the road to Calvary, waiting and hoping just one more time to get a glimpse of his struggling Master falling under the weight of the Cross, and Peter looking into the eyes of Jesus with tears of sorrow.  We know well that Peter was not just forgiven, but after the resurrection was told by Jesus to feed the Lord’s sheep. 

 

Matthew takes us through the whole gamut of Jesus’ suffering:  physical pain, betrayal, abandonment, humiliation, uncertainty and fear.  Yet deeper than the pain for Jesus was the awareness of the God who loved him.  And so it is with us!  Stronger than any of our suffering and sinfulness must be our deeply rooted trust that ours is a God of never ending Love. 

 

PRAYER:  Lord, remind us often that your kingdom comes whenever your will is done.  As the days draw near to the commemoration of your Passion, death and resurrection, may we recall that you, Lord, our Emmanuel, not only entered this world to suffer for us, but to suffer WITH us.  As your mother Mary stood at the foot of the Cross, may we too stand with her, close to Jesus to the last.

 

Brother Vincent J. Adams, O.S.F.

(Thank you, Brother Vincent, for contributing this week's reflection!)