Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion - Reflection

Palm Sunday’s liturgy is unique from all others.  It begins outside with the blessing and the distribution of the palms.  The Gospel proclaims Jesus triumphantly entering the city of Jerusalem riding on an ass. The worshippers process into the church singing hymns. We begin the solemn celebration of Holy Week.

The Epistle reading for Palm Sunday is the great Philippians passage reflecting on the humility of Jesus.  He empties himself of his divinity, taking on the form of a slave.  Jesus becomes human, like us. I love the language: Jesus does not deem equality with God something to be grasped at.  Rather he empties himself, being born of human estate.

Grasping and emptying.  We can be tempted to grasp that which promises upward mobility in life: fame, wealth, honors, awards, recognition.  Jesus shows us that the way to salvation is not by moving upwards in this world, but by emptying ourselves.  We empty ourselves of our egos, our sense of importance, our status, our pride, so that we may be filled with the grace of God, freely given. A full cup cannot hold anything else.  We cannot receive the gifts of God when we are full of ourselves.  But we can fill ourselves with God’s love and grace when we empty ourselves of that which is unnecessary, even harmful.

This Holy Week, rather than grasp at that which separates us from God and God’s people, we are called to empty ourselves as Jesus did. In this way, we will be filled with his love and grace. In humility, we realize that we do not save ourselves. We grasp the hand of Jesus who lifts us up to himself.  Jesus humbled himself so that God could exalt him.  Can we do the same?

We enter into the holiest week of the year.  Jesus gives his very self for us so that we may have the fullness of life. Let us follow him, carrying our crosses, as we walk with him on the road to Calvary. Only then can we experience the glory of the empty tomb and rejoice in the resurrection on Easter Sunday.