Today’s celebration brings together three profound themes. First, it commemorates the Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Palm Sunday. Second, it ushers in the beginning of Holy Week, the most sacred time in the Christian calendar. Third, and most importantly, it reminds us of the immense price paid for our redemption and the spiritual freedom we now possess as God’s beloved children.
We’ve just listened to a lengthy but solemn gospel reading (Luke 22:14-23:56) and the Church’s earlier exhortations. I was going to call it the gospel before the gospel reading. I will not revisit all the details of those earlier ceremonies because I believe many of us have come spiritually prepared for this sacred season. We already have the details we could ever get anywhere. There may be a few individuals among us who still do not understand what we are even doing. I invite those individuals to listen so as to understand and embrace Easter preparations’ readiness equally. The events of Easter are too vital to be approached casually; they require intentional reflection and heartfelt preparation.
This message holds such weight because God’s plan for our salvation took far more time and endurance than today’s lengthy gospel reading. Some of us grew weary while standing through the Passion narrative and had to sit, maybe due to age, sickness, tiredness, or all three together, and that’s understandable. However, Christ never gave up from the point of His incarnation through Mary. He endured every suffering to bring us life. His unwavering “Yes” was the foundation of our redemption, and He saw it through to the end.
The gospel recounts how Jesus fulfilled His promise to lay down His life so we might rise with Him. He endured rejection, mockery, and betrayal, even from His closest companions. While many, like Peter, found their way back, others, like Judas, chose differently. God still calls us to continue this mission of love and truth. His Arms are open to take us in! Just as He needed the donkey to enter Jerusalem, He now calls on us to carry His message forward, to become ambassadors of love and mercy, to become His Eyes, Ears, Mouthpiece, and Arms. We, too, are given the option of choices; choices that bear consequences. Shall we say “Yes” and follow, or shall we walk away and face the weight of that decision? The choice is ours to make, and the ball, they say, is in our court!
Thank you Fr Samuel for keeping us abreast with your teachings. May God continue to keep you wrapped in his wisdom and grace.
Happy Easter.