Procession: Mark 11:1-10
Mass: Isaiah 50:4-7
Philippians 2:6-11
Mark 14:1—15:47
THE LAST DAYS OF JESUS ON EARTH
Today marks the beginning of the Holy Week. Thus, we are called upon to follow Jesus and live with him, the last events of his earthly life. In today’s liturgy, we celebrate first the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem amid the jubilation and chants of Hosanna of the crowd (Mark 11:1-10). Jesus enters the holy city, where he will suffer, die, be buried and resurrect for our redemption.
On the other hand, the readings for the Mass narrate the Passion of Jesus: his sufferings, crucifixion and death as the humble Servant of God. What may strike us is the dramatic and sudden change of events. From the hosanna chants of the triumphant entry, we pass to the “crucify him” refrain of the Passion narrative. But the attitude of Jesus remains the same: humble and silent. He bears the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, the abandonment of his close friends, the hatred of the Pharisees, chief priests and scribes, the unjust condemnation of Pilate, the scourging and beatings of the soldiers, the curses and insults of the crowd, and the shameful death of the cross in obedience to the Father for our sake.
Listening to these readings, we cannot but ask ourselves some questions: How many times have we not betrayed or disappointed those who trusted us? How often do we not turn back to humiliate the same people we appreciate and praise? How many times have we not been accomplices to the atrocities against some people and to the condemnation of the innocents? How often do we not exchange justice and integrity with the fear of losing our friends, our job or our position? How often do we not sacrifice others on the altars of our pride, selfish desires and shameful ambitions? How many times have we not allowed our envy and jealousy to lead us to criminal and sinful acts?
In any case, whether we are authors or victims of such acts, we must always remember that God will surely save the just and the innocent. He will not put them to shame.
As we begin this Holy Week, let us ask the Lord to be merciful towards us so that the Passion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ may not be in vain. Amen
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