12 April 2014

Homily - Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion 13 April 2014



Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

“Then what shall I do with Jesus called the Christ” (Matthew 27:22)? Without knowing it, Pontius Pilate asked the question that every person must answer. He chose to wash his hands of him, though his claim to innocence cannot be wholly justified (cf. Matthew 27:24).

Many of the scribes and the Pharisees saw him as a threat to their authority and chose to actively work against him (cf. Matthew 26:3-4). Judas, one of the chosen Twelve, chose to betray his Master and Teacher and later despaired (cf. Matthew 26:49; 27:5). The crowd chose to have him killed because he was not the kind of king they wanted (cf. Matthew 27:22). Peter denied ever knowing him, but soon after repented (cf. Matthew 26:70, 75).

Mary and John chose to remain with him, even while he was crucified (cf. John 19:25-27). Joseph of Arimathea, together with Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, chose to love him and honored his corpse (cf. Matthew 27:58-59, 61).

Today each of these choices have been made about Jesus called the Christ. In the end, they come down to one of two choices: rejection or love. What will I do with him today? What you will you do with him today?

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