Palm Sunday, March 31, 2012
Fr. Joseph Eddy, O. de M.
Gospel: Mark 15:1-39 The Passion of Jesus Christ
(Full text of sermon) Each Palm Sunday we take Palm branches into our hands and hold them up as the priest walks through the aisle toward the sanctuary. We follow along in the missal taking the part of the crowd which is proclaiming Christ to be a king: “Hosanna!” “Hosanna in the Highest!” The Liturgy reminds us that we are part of this Passion Play. We must come face to face with the personal and communal nature of sin.
Classes in Latin and Italian, and visits to museums in RomeDeacon Scott Brentwood, who was ordained earlier this year, muses about his experiences in his priestly training as a Mercedarian in Rome. He was invited by the General of the Mercedarians for lunch and they had an interesting conversation. Read all about it in his letter, the
Is God calling you to become a Mercedarian friar? Visit the Mercedarians”
Yes, we see Judas, St. Peter, the Chief Priest, and Pilate sin personally and grievously in denying and condemning the innocent Lamb of God. But what of the crowd? At first, the crowd is saying “Hosanna” proclaiming Jesus the Messiah, but they quickly disappear as the situation gets worse. Later, the crowd calls for and even insists on the death of this Jesus, saying “Crucify him!” “Crucify him!” We cannot blame one person or group for the crucifixion of Our Lord. It was the sins of the world that made it necessary for Him to die. This means all our sins, both personal and communal.
Knowledge of all sins
No doubt this came to Jesus’ mind as He walked with His disciples to the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus says, “My soul is sorrowful even unto death.” Certainly this sorrow comes from the thought of the physical, psychological, and emotional suffering that He was about to endure. Yet, many Saints and theologians also consider that Jesus, as God and man, had knowledge of all the sins which would be committed despite his supreme sacrifice for sinners. He saw at that moment, all the wars, mass exterminations, the pornography industry, the infidelity of Church leaders and so much, much more.
All of these things were horrible thoughts, which the devil used to tempt Jesus to question: What is the point of my offering for these people? Jesus is in unimaginable anguish in the garden. He wept bitterly for our sins. Jesus is totally overcome with anxiety at the debt of sin which must be paid for and, at the same time, the ungratefulness of each one of us. Jesus not only weeps from his eyes, but His whole body weeps. In uncontrollable anguish, Jesus sweats blood. It was at this moment Jesus asks the Father to “take this cup away from me, but not as I will but as you will.”
The effects of our sins
Jesus asks us to comfort Him in His anguish, but like the disciples we drift off and do not recognize the effects of our sins. We have no idea of the debt that must be paid for each one of us. God is Love and sin is a lack of love. Each sin is opposed to the very nature of God. It is opposed to the goodness, light, and truth of God. Our sins can be forgiven only because of the crucifixion of Our Lord. He ransoms us and pays the unpayable debt.
Yet, the Church has always taught that it is necessary that we have contrition for our sins. Contrition literally means “with tears” or with genuine sorrow. We must have contrition in order for our venial sins and mortal sins to be forgiven. Mortal sins can only be forgiven in sacramental confession. Sin is personal, but it also always injures others. We can ask forgiveness of God, but what about the community that we have injured? In confession, the priest stands in the place of Christ and the Church. When we confess our sins in confession, we admit out loud that we have offended God and the world with our sins. Forgiveness must be sought from God and the whole Church.
Properly ordered guilt
So, hopefully our partaking in the journey with Jesus through His Passion and death leads us to also feel “troubled and distressed.” A little bit of properly ordered guilt is only right and just. We should be guilty for the part we play in building up evil in the world. This guilt does not lead to self-loathing, but instead to true contrition, confession of our sins, and a real intention to amend our lives. For Jesus died for all, but not all will accept this Gift. In great humility and gratitude let us play our part in the mystery of the salvation of the World.
See all the homilies of Fr. Joseph