Reflection by Deacon Russ for Palm Sunday

Today there are two Gospel readings that are very different. The first one recalls Jesus’ triumphant march into Jerusalem. “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,” shout those who line the path of Jesus with joy. But it’s not too long before we hear Mark’s moving account of Jesus’ passion and death. It didn’t take long to go from cheering crowds to broken hearts and incomparable injustice.

If that makes you feel uneasy or confused or disconnected in some way, it should, for the contrast between the readings presents us with a real challenge today. You see, as we embrace the words “Hosanna in the highest,” we are those men and women on the side of the road giving glory to the Messiah. We are those people praising him, rejoicing in his very being, and acknowledging all he has done for us.

Then he goes through that gate, into the holy city, to fulfill his mission, loving unconditionally to the very end. And we have a choice to make – will we remain outside in relative safety, or will we accompany him each step of the way? In many ways, this holiest of weeks is about that very thing, our willingness or lack thereof to unite ourselves to Jesus’ life in its totality, not just the joyful moments but the difficult ones, too, the sufferings, the feelings of abandonment, and yes, even to his death on the cross.

And make no mistake about it, we do this not because Jesus needs us to. We walk in solidarity with and unite ourselves to Jesus because we need to, because the difference it makes in each of our lives, and consequently the difference it makes for the whole world. We accompany Jesus on his way to Calvary in order that we may become more aware of him and believe that he is with us as we carry our crosses in this life. Simply put, we unite ourselves to him so that we may know that he is one with us in our struggles, comforting us, guiding us, picking us up, and setting us free once again.

That’s one of the beautiful things about this week. It focuses our attention on a deep and profound realty, the mystery of not only Jesus’ saving act, but the mystery that is the very template of our day-to-day lives. And so, if we do this week well – either at home or at Church – if we join Jesus on this journey, if we embrace this sacred mystery and realize its profound meaning for all that we do and are, we can be assured that this Easter will make a real and lasting difference in our lives, not just for a day or a week, but for always.

If you are unable to come to Mass this week, I urge you to take some time and quietly read the Passion, Mark 14:1 – 15:47.

If you have a brief faith reflection on today’s reading that you would like to share, please send it to me at deaconruss@holyspiritunoh.org.