Palms to Cross: Palm Sunday Reflection

They say much can change in a week. It is true. For us who attend Palm Sunday Mass would soon realize what would happen in a span of five to seven days in Jerusalem.

Imagine attending a sporting event. At the biggest game of the season, the atmosphere changes. First, we cheer on the home team as they take the field and score first, Then, the opponent finds a way to strike even or take the lead. The crowd show their dislike by collectively yelling jeers, moaning, groaning, and even just watch in disgust when the home team don’t find ways to rally and win. That is the case of what changes from the entry into Jerusalem to the journey to Mount Calvary.

On Palm Sunday, Jesus is greeted with palms and shouts of Hosanna from the people. Yet, it was that same crowd who gave him cheers of affirmation that would betray him with the requests to “crucify him” as they chose a murderer over a king not of this world but of what is to come.

Often, we ask the question, “What changed?” Surprisingly, the father willed it. Jesus’ suffering and death was for a greater purpose. He willingly walked through this week anticipating and embracing the suffering and rejection He received.  And He didn’t do so begrudgingly or even with regret.  He embraced this week willingly, choosing it as His own will. He even prayed even under great distress for him to do God’s will and not his own.

As St. Paul reminds us, “Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Jesus teaches us humility. He showed it when he chose a colt to ride into Jerusalem. He chose this virtue when he went through his trial and persecution as foretold by the prophet Isaiah when he remained silent and offered no ounce of revenge when someone provoked him. Humility helps us to be obedient to God’s will. He wants us to empty out everything in our hearts for his greater good.

Let us walk humbly with God carrying our own crosses.