Palm Sunday of the Lord Luke 22, 14-23,56

Each of us knows that today, Sunday, begins Holy Week. Let’s ask ourselves: Do we want to experience the events we will be commemorating as befits Christians? One might suppose that we might share them merely as a remembrance, habitually as an annual tradition… And such an approach would be wrong, dishonest, and irresponsible of us. One event may tell us something.

At the end of his life, the Permian emperor Chosroes had his counselors summoned and asked them, “Do you think I have been a good emperor? Don’t be afraid to tell me the truth. As a reward, I will give everyone a jewel.” The counselors came before the emperor and flattered him with friendly words. When it was the turn of the wise Elaimus, he said: “Please, my lord, let me be silent, for truth cannot be bought.” The emperor replied with these words: “Good. Then I will give you nothing. You may then tell me your opinion directly.” Claim continued: “My lord, I think you are as much a man with weaknesses and faults as we are. But your faults are much more grievous, for the whole nation groans under the weight of taxes. You should wage fewer wars and not live so luxuriously at the nation’s expense.” The emperor paused. Then he gave each counselor the promised jewel. Claim, however, he appointed as his chancellor. The next day, the councilors spoke to the emperor: “Our Lord, order that the merchant who sold you the gems you have gifted us be justly punished because he sold you false gems.” “I know that.” replied the emperor. “They are as false as your words are false.” We know that God dislikes our falsity. On the contrary, God rightly demands our responsibility to our souls.

A memento for us is the inscription on the cross, “This is the King of the Jews” (Luke 23:38).

Our time longs for heroes, role models, and idols. This was also the case in the time of Jesus. But we cannot look at Jesus as a hero. Jesus did not crave human glory, power, or titles. When people wanted to make Jesus king after the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, Jesus withdrew himself into silence. When Pilate asked, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered: “You say so yourself.” (Lk. 22:3). A true and correct explanation is given by St. Paul to the Philippians, “Jesus Christ, though possessing the divine nature, did not hold to His equality with God, but renounced Himself, taking the nature of a servant, and being made in the likeness of men, He was counted as a man according to outward appearances. He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the cross’s death.” (Phil. 2:6-8). Jesus faithfully fulfilled his mission. Today’s Gospel, which we also call the Passion, is the culmination of Jesus’ three-year mission on earth. We are assured that everyone who follows him and fulfills his words will share in the fact that Jesus has overcome the power of sin. Jesus undergoes all that today’s Gospel tells us about so that every person who joins him will share with him in his Kingdom. That is why the Evangelist St. Luke reminds us today of Jesus’ words: “I have greatly desired to eat this Passover lamb with you before I suffer. For I tell you: I will eat it no more until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God” (Lk 22:15-16). Jesus will undergo all this so that everyone who joins him will share in his life. Jesus does not promise what he cannot give. But Jesus requires everyone – who wants to share in his Kingdom with him – to faithfully and responsibly fulfill all that he has taught.

The events of Palm Sunday are not just memories but a call to radically follow Christ. Jesus reminds us in the context of Judas, “Woe to the man who betrays him.” (Lk 22:22). The remembrance of betrayal is not lost even today. On the contrary, we are aware of our responsibility for the salvation of our souls. We are obliged to live in the truth of Jesus’ words. Sin cannot and must not be rewarded with participation in His Kingdom. Even if we find ourselves in St. Peter’s situation of denying Jesus, we are obligated to continue to act as he did, “He went out and wept bitterly.” (Lk 22:62). To Holy Week belongs the anguish of the soul over the sins committed, that is, repentance. This week we are to relive the most excellent drama of history. We want to consciously and willingly be with the suffering, crucified, and risen, Jesus. We feel our responsibility for the salvation of our souls and the souls of the brothers and sisters entrusted to us. This serious matter cannot bear to live this week superficially, habitually, without personal participation. Responsibility for the salvation of souls is the most necessary thing to which we want to subordinate everything else.

The mother of the ten-year-old daughter with whom they began to have problems is aware of this. It was over Holy Week. The girl came to her mother saying that she wanted to go to a movie with her friends. “All the girls are going, and I can’t? Why? Why can’t I?” Just then, the mother was making pudding. The mother made a plea to her daughter. “Where are those rotten eggs I found on the top shelf today?” “In the trash can. Why?” “Bring them to me, please.” “What do you want to do with them?” “I’m going to put them in the pudding.” “Rotten eggs? You’ll spoil a good pudding with those!” “If I spoil the pudding,” the mother continued her dialogue with her daughter, “I can always throw it away. But if you can’t deny yourself one movie in Holy Week, won’t you do even more harm to your soul?” The daughter understood her mother.
None of us should want to let this week slip away to glean new graces for our lives. There is something more to our Christian honor than merely habitually living through a week in which we commemorate the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ. We realize that we have before us a time of grace and salvation. We want to help one another by example. We want to avoid a simple approach, a soulless attitude towards the events of these days. We want to live our ecclesial and social life in such a way as to give the best witness to our faith.

False diamonds have not appeased the counselors. We are convinced that even a wrong approach to this week’s events can satisfy anyone. On the contrary, May the Truth – Jesus Christ – prevail in our lives. He alone invites us not only today to the procession with a few branches, on Thursday to his Eucharistic table, on Friday beneath the cross, and on Saturday and Sunday to the empty tomb. Today’s “Hosanna” will sound much more joyful and compelling on Sunday morning after the Good Friday “Crucify Him” by singing “Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.” Let us pray for each other’s strength for this week.