The liturgical directives for Palm Sunday call for a "brief homily," owing to the length of the Passion narrative and the fact that such a compelling story needs little additional comment. For years now, I've made an effort to respect these circumstances by preaching a brief homily, consisting mostly of the gospel's compelling language. In addition to the video above, here's my text for this weekend.
Although it's at the very heart of our faith,
the story of the suffering and death of Jesus
is recounted in its entirety only twice a year,
and then in the same week,
on Palm Sunday and Good Friday.
the story of the suffering and death of Jesus
is recounted in its entirety only twice a year,
and then in the same week,
on Palm Sunday and Good Friday.
Though we hear this story infrequently,
its characters, words and images
its characters, words and images
are
vivid in our imagination.
Particular words and phrases
have embedded themselves
have embedded themselves
in our memory
and in our hearts,
evoking prayer and repentance...
evoking prayer and repentance...
Don't these words echo in a place deep in your soul?
“One of you will betray me..."
“Surely, it is not I, Lord?”
"This very night before the cock crows
you will deny three times
that you know me..."
"Father, if it is possible,
let this cup pass from me;
yet, not as I will but as you will…
“Stay here and keep watch with me for an hour...”
“The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak…”
“The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak…”
"I do not know the man..."
Betrayed by a kiss…
“Those who take up the sword
will perish by the
sword…”
Peter went out and wept bitterly...
Peter went out and wept bitterly...
They stripped him,
put a crown of thorns on his head
and spat upon him…
"Crucify him! Crucify him!"
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
He cried out in a loud voice
and gave up his spirit…
“Truly, this was the Son of God…”
put a crown of thorns on his head
and spat upon him…
"Crucify him! Crucify him!"
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
He cried out in a loud voice
and gave up his spirit…
“Truly, this was the Son of God…”
Any of these phrases and the images they call forth
would be good food for prayer in the days ahead...
We enter the Week we call holy
when Christians around the world
pause to remember and celebrate
the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus.
May the story of his suffering and death
refresh our faith in his loved poured out for us...
the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus.
May the story of his suffering and death
refresh our faith in his loved poured out for us...
May the words of Jesus' passion,
embedded in our hearts,
bring us his mercy
and lead us to the peace of Easter...
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