Passion (Palm) Sunday, Cycle B
Our Lady of Grace
April 5, 2009
The Crucifixion Continues and You Are There
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
Crucifiers
Various people and various human tendencies were responsible for crucifying Jesus.
The Governor – Pilate – knows that the person dragged before him is innocent, but justice was not his primary concern.
Keeping things under control for his Roman bosses, so as to hold on to his comfortable position, this is what matters most to Pilate. And so, Jesus is crucified on the cross of Pilate’s self-interest.
Next, the High Priest is a sincerely religious man. He sees it as his duty to protect his faith from this anarchist who questions the ritual and certain teachings.
This high priest and his Sanhedrin are like some others throughout history who have so exalted the truth of a creed that they have missed the truth of humanity and of compassion. And so, Jesus is crucified on the cross of the high priest’s self-righteousness.
Then there’s Judas who expects this Messiah to restore economic and political power to Israel, yet, Jesus keeps talking about a kingdom of justice and peace, a kingdom built on selflessness and humility and service.
Judas cannot take this any longer and decides to cut his losses, cash in, and move on. And so, Jesus is crucified on the cross of Judas’ distorted ambition.
And finally, there are the onlookers who watch Jesus stumble through the streets, with the crossbeam strapped to his shoulders. He is in great pain.
And they just watch and do or say nothing. So Jesus is crucified on the cross of the people’s indifference.
Crucifiers Today
On this Passion Sunday, we are confronted once again with the death of Jesus on the cross.
We see those involved in that crucifixion 2000 years ago – Pilate, the High Priest, Judas, and the onlookers. In truth, Jesus is crucified not because of any single madman or evil movement.
He is crucified because of ordinary, everyday vices – self-interest, self-righteousness, distorted ambition, and indifference.
The all-important question is: “Do not these same vices, in us, continue to crucify Jesus today?”
Is Jesus not crucified today by:
➢ Our acting for our own self-interest alone and not looking out for the common good of all?
➢ Is he not crucified today by our sense of self-righteousness which demonizes and destroys persons instead of aiming at evil behavior?
➢ Is Jesus not crucified today by our distorted ambition – witness the current financial crisis – where fairness and honesty are forgotten?
➢ And is he not crucified today by our indifference where we do not tend to the needs of a relative who is emotionally troubled or the forgotten and hurting in our society?
As we reflect on Jesus’ passion this week we call Holy Week, may we realize the crucifixions we are party to, at times without even knowing it.
And may the crucified Christ grant us the grace to transform these crucifixions into experiences of Resurrection.
To do that we must have a change of heart in our heart become the humble, selfless, and compassionate heart of Jesus.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment