Palm Sunday March 28, 2010
Cycle C Isaiah 50:4-7 Philippians 2:6-
11 Luke 19:28-
40
As we enter the week that invites us into a deeper level of
holiness, we begin by way of celebrating with Jesus…on this side
of the tomb. Palm Sunday is a day of
celebration.
Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem is cause for excitement and
celebration. The crowd is going wild. The people are screaming his
name. The Pharisees are pulling their hair out and plucking their
beards. They can’t stand to see Jesus being
celebrated.
So why do we celebrate the one who comes in the name of the
Lord? Why celebrate the entrance of a man riding on a donkey into
the holiest city on earth? As the Gospel says, “The whole
multitude of his disciples began to praise God aloud with joy for all
the mighty deeds they had
seen.”
They were celebrating Jesus’ small victories over the many
demons and illnesses he performed in their sight. They were
celebrating his authoritative teachings that touched their hearts
like no other prophet. Precisely because he was “just no other
prophet.” They were celebrating the many responses of truth he
spoke toward the Pharisees and Scribes. Words such as “I tell
you, if they (the people) keep silent, the stones will cry out!” They
were celebrating his profound humility, his incredible love, his
calling people back from the dead. All in all, as Jesus entered
Jerusalem amidst cheering, palms, and cloaks, they were
celebrating his way. And everything about his way, and how it was
so different from the old way.
The celebration on this side of the tomb – filled with the great
theological virtue of hope – is ours. This celebration is
ours.
So celebrate Jesus. Celebrate Jesus for emptying himself and
taking on human form. He did so not because we look good and
he wanted to look good like us. He did so because we’re broken,
and he wants to fix us. Celebrate Jesus for his everlasting
companionship in good times and in bad. In the good times when
we are levitating on life. And in the bad and difficult times that
present to us an opportunity to grow closer to our Lord. To grow
in spiritual maturity. Celebrate Jesus for giving us one great
commandment; to love as best we can. And when it’s not the best
we can, then keep on
trying.
Celebrate Jesus for the Eucharist. For feeding us his body and
blood.
Celebrate by spreading a cloak this week; on the road, in your
driveway, on your sidewalk, in your house. Spread a cloak for
Jesus showing us the way to the Father. Spread a cloak for Jesus
for teaching us how to pray. For without prayer, we’re as good as
spiritually dead.
On this side of the tomb, celebrate Jesus by spreading a cloak for
his being obedient, steadfast, courageous, and determined to
carry this mission through. His faithful obedience has given our
lives meaning and purpose.
During this holy week, celebrate Jesus. Put a cloak down where
you can walk over it, or drive over it as a reminder to celebrate
Jesus. Celebrate Jesus with joy for all the mighty deeds
accomplished for us in his name. The name that lives forever and
ever. Amen.