Sunday Reflection (April 5, 2020)

The great contrast of Palm-Passion Sunday is the glorious, jubilant entrance with Jesus leaving Jerusalem to Golgotha bearing the cross a few days later. The crowd that had joyously received him ridiculed and rejected him viciously as he bore the cross to Calvary. The disciples flee but his mother and a few other women watch from a distance.

Jesus is hoisted high between heaven and earth. Although shamed by humankind, God is not ashamed of the perseverance and faithfulness of his beloved Son. Jesus refused to act in violence and revenge. Jesus refused to employ divine power to crush those crucifying him. Jesus offered diving forgiveness on his way to the cross with these words, “Father forgive them. They know not what they do.” God’s wisdom overcame human power and the evil misuse of power.