GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 9TH APRIL 2017
PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION ON THE LORD
READING AT THE PROCESSION WITH PALMS: Matthew 21:1-11
READINGS AT MASS
FIRST READING: Isaiah 50:4-7
PSALM: Psalm 22:8-9, 17-20,23-24
SECOND READING: Philippians 2:6-11
GOSPEL: Matthew 26:14 – 27:66
THEME: THE ROAD TO THE CROSS
A crown of glory attracts but a cross of shame scares even friends. It is fair to say that the number of true friends one has can only be known after making the journey on the road that leads to the cross.
Jesus, like many other religious Jews, had made several trips to Jerusalem. Now he makes one final and memorable trip to this city. Jerusalem, the city of peace, was soon to become for him a city of pain. He is swarmed by his followers as he enters the city but as he is led out, even his close friend Peter will be nowhere near.
In a matter of about three years, Jesus had captured the hearts of so many people in Israel. These admirers would gather to triumphantly welcome him to Jerusalem singing, “hosanna, hosanna”. In a parallel fashion, within a matter of three years, Jesus had annoyed so many people with his teaching, and his adversaries would chant in Jerusalem, “Crucify him, crucify him” and push for his death.
The liturgical tone, mode and readings of today’s celebration reveal to us the devious nature of the human heart and how frivolous we can be. In one moment we sing, “Hosanna, hosanna to Jesus.” In another moment, we chant, “Crucify him, crucify him.” In one moment, we are in Church worshipping the Lord with our whole heart. In another moment, we engross ourselves in sin.
The attitude of Jesus in the changing scenes of his life was one of deep trust and humble submission to the will of the Father. Isaiah paints an appropriate picture of the depth of submission that Jesus made – “I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting” (Isa 50:6).
The changing scenes of life are a test of one’s fidelity. As followers of Jesus, someday, we will each have to make a journey on this road to the cross. The cross may take different forms. It may appear in the form of sickness, a broken relationship, loss of a loved one, loss of a job, betrayal, difficulties in community living (the list is endless). When the time comes for us to make that journey, let us always remember that it is the same path that Jesus walked on 2000 years ago.
Like Jesus, who though he was in the form of God did not count equality with God but humbled himself and became obedient even unto death, let us seek in all humility to be resolute in our faith-relationship with the Father and to do his will at all times.
PRAYER: Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like yours and keep me faithful on the road to the cross. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).