Homily for Palm Sunday of the LORD’S Passion

Crucifixion is said to be one of the most horrible ways to die. Scourging, which often preceded crucifixion, was itself a horrible experience. It wasn’t unheard of for a person to actually die during scourging.

These horrible scenes may cause one to ask why Jesus submitted to such an ordeal. The answers people give to this question boil down to three main responses.

First, Jesus wanted His death to be a sign of what He had so often said to His disciples, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Second, Jesus wanted His death to be an invitation to do what He told His disciples to do so often, “Love one another as I love you.”

Finally, Jesus wanted His death to be a revelation that life entails suffering. He said, “Whoever, wishes to come after me must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.”

While hopefully we do not suffer just for the sake of suffering, we do have to make sacrifices throughout our lives in order to make the right decisions. Sacrifice, of its very nature, entails some suffering.

As we contemplate our lives this Holy Week, as we discern God’s call and the sacrifices this may entail, and as we experience now in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic, sacrifices, we have never had to make before, let us be mindful of the supreme sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. Let us ask God for the courage to do as we should, and the wisdom to see that the things we sacrifice for the good of our world, pale in comparison to the gifts God has given us, and the gift we will receive in the everlasting Kingdom of heaven.+