PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD (B) : 24th March 2024

Palm Sunday exalts the lowliness of God which St Paul expounds in Philipians that “Christ Jesus emptied Himself” (v7) but “God raised Him high” (v9). Prophet Isaiah had earlier depicted a servant who is fearless of insults and spittle, for his trust is in the Lord.

Jesus, the Son of God, is one of us. Without exerting His rights and entitlement to superior power and celestial majesty, He had lowered Himself by riding on a colt and being greeted by palm branches and shouts of joy, without a gallantry of kingly horses and trumpet blasts into Jerusalem. He emptied Himself to remedy our basic human inclination  – to bring us back to simplicity while we have been enticed to cling to transient powers and spiteful entitlement. The categories of spectators and actors in the lengthy reading of the Passion obliges all thinking humans to justify their own innocent claims akin to Pilates contention- I have no part in this!

Conversely, we could exemplify two self-effacing acts. First, it is the centurion’s confession of his docile submission to all, of the truth – “this man was a Son of God”. Secondly, in the presence of all, Joseph Arimathaea lowered himself from prominence in the Council to touch the crucified body of Christ, took Him down, wrapped Him in the shroud, laid Him in the tomb and rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb.

Lord, may we never hesitate to submit ourselves and serve the truth that You are our crucified Lord.