Luke 19:28-40
Isaiah 50:4-7
Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
Philippians 2:6-11
Luke 22:14–23:56
Today could be considered a day of opposites. We began
with joy and celebration, as we commemorated the Lord’s triumphant entry into
Jerusalem. However, that tone of joy was quickly muted, as we read St. Luke’s
account of the Passion of our Lord. We see Jesus at the highest of highs
entering into Jerusalem, and at the lowest of lows on the Cross. The same crowd
that proclaimed “Hosanna to the Son of David!” shouts out “Crucify Him!” when
they realize that Jesus is not the type of Messiah that they want him to be. In
earthly matters, Jesus seems to be a failure. He has suffered the most shameful
death imaginable- so much so that according to the Book of Deuteronomy, he is
cursed, because he was hung on a tree.
This
scandal of the cross had to be explained by the early Church. How could the
cursed one be the Messiah, the savior of all? Today’s Second Reading gives us
one example of the interpretation of these events. . This hymn, quoted by St.
Paul, represents a remarkable understanding of who Christ was- and is. Already in this hymn, Christ is presented as
Divine- yet Jesus does not “grasp” for his own divinity- another translation
reads that he did not see it as “something to exploit for selfish gain.” This
is a contrast to the Greek and Roman Gods, who were often portrayed as using
their Divinity to fulfill their own selfish wants and desires. Jesus, however, does not do this. As the
Divine Son of God, he fully enters into the Human condition. He suffers not
only the humiliation of taking on a human existence, but also the humiliation
of death on a Cross, in order that he might be obedient to God the Father. And
it is out of this earthly failure that God the Father does something new. St.
Paul reminds us in the Letter to the Corinthians that “The message of the cross
is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is
the power of God.” (1 Cor 1:18). For the foolishness of God is wiser than human
wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. This is why
Christ, who has suffered extreme humiliation, is exalted above all else, and
given the Name which causes all who hear it to bend the knee in worship and
Adoration.
This is
the great mystery of our Faith. For we know that Christ had to become fully
human, and truly suffer and die, in order to win our redemption. We commemorate
this mystery every time the Eucharist is celebrated- but this week, we
commemorate it in an even more powerful way. This Holy Week is a special time
to pause and remember the great sacrifice that Christ made for us, as we
prepare to celebrate the Solemnity of the Resurrection. Will you take up your
own cross this week, and walk with Christ to Calvary? If you have never been to
any of the Triduum Liturgies before, I highly encourage you to go. These three
days are the Holiest days of the Church year, and these beautiful Liturgies
give the Faith that we celebrate a deeper meaning. If you are unable to attend,
I highly encourage you to spend some time reading and reflecting on the Gospel
accounts of the Passion of our Lord, so that you may celebrate the Easter
Mysteries with a greater Joy for the Redemption that Christ has won for us.
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