Sunday Homilies by Fr. Rudolf V. D’ Souza

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Palm Sunday - 2007
PASSION SUNDAY (PALM SUNDAY)

Date: April 1, 2007

Year:C

The readings: [Lk. 19:28-40; Is. 50:4-7; 
Phil. 2:6-11; Lk. 22:14-23:56]

The message:  
Palm Sunday leads to Good Friday

First Reading...  

"Jesus went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, 'Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it.''

So those who were sent departed and found it as Jesus had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, 'Why are you untying the colt?' They said, 'The Lord needs it.'

Then they brought the colt to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it.

As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully, and with a loud voice, for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, 'Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!'

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, 'Teacher, order your disciples to stop.'

Jesus answered, 'I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.'" [Lk. 19:28-40]

Second Reading...

"The servant of the Lord said: 'The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens - wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.

The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward.

I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.

The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame." [Is. 50:4-7]

The week we now call Holy Week, started with Palm Sunday.  Why was this week so important that three of the gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) devote a full third of their contents to reporting this week, and the Fourth (John) dedicates its entire last half?  Jerusalem, which had a normal population of about 50,000 at this time, had at least tripled in size because of the influx of pilgrims celebrating the Jewish holiday Passover.  Early Sunday morning Jesus made his boldly public entry into the city.  This was the end of all privacy and safety, and the beginning of what would be an inevitable collision course with the religious and political authorities.  Crowds began to gather to see the rabbi from Galilee.  The procession began accompanied by shouting and singing from the throngs as they threw down their garments on the pathway to cushion his ride - an Oriental custom still observed on occasions - as well as palms, the symbol of triumph.  The Old Testament prophet Zechariah had foretold the arrival of the Messianic king in Jerusalem via the humble conveyance of a colt.  Here the crowd hailed Jesus as "the son of David", a loaded name used at a loaded time.  The priestly establishment was understandably disturbed, as the palm was the national emblem of an independent Palestine.  These were Jewish flags.  What if Jesus should claim to be the heir of King David?

This little event helpful for the Homily
Savio came from UK the other day and was well received by his family members. They had arranged for a sumptuous dinner to mark his arrival. He had four suitcases full of items to share with his family members and relatives. He visited the neighbours and all spoke well of him. The family members were on the top of the world to know that Savio would be called back to UK with a promotion. Days passed, months elapsed, no news of Savio’s employment. Family members were fed up, and slowly began to criticize him, ill treat him, and humiliate him. He was completely ignored by his close family members. Rumors spread that Savio was drinking and was depressed. I had a personal contact with Savio. He was really an authentic good man. I encouraged him saying that good days would certainly come back to him. Savio was really hopeful. By now he had learnt a lesson, that his family members and neighbors authentically did not love him. He realized that they loved his money and gifts more than his person. In fact this experience was a huge eye opener to him. He kept working hard and learnt the techniques of doing business here in India. He bought a shop on loan and tried to utilize his experience to start a business. Exactly after 4 years, the fortunes of Savio bloomed. He went back to UK with his new business and in stead of working under anybody; he was the boss controlling  a huge business. But certainly he would not like to forget his experience at home with his family members.

Jesus and the Hosannas of People
‘Hosanna King of David’, is the slogan whenever you succeed and make a mark. But then it fades when you fail to keep yourself on top position, you would hear, ‘crucify him, crucify him’. This world is full of people who would like to be your friends, when you are well with them, help them, perform extraordinary thing for them. When you are no more able to perform, they would forget you.

Jesus was triumphant more than several times and we notice that in the Gospels, when he multiplied bread and fish and served the crowed (Jn 6).

We need Encouragement, but we should never expect it always. Keep working without applause. We learn it from Jesus.

He never became a slave to such things
Triumphant Entry: this entry signifies that Jesus always was triumphant in his life, especially against evil. He never was defeated by the evil or the devil. He loved all people and therefore he accepted their recognition, even though it was just for a while, that he wanted it to happen. He knew that the earthly glory is going to last just for a while. That is why he had told Pilate that his kingdom is not of this world.

The Colt: A colt is a young male horse.This animal is considered not so important in the herd of horses. So he chooses the least type of animal for his entry into Jerusalem. He is the friend of least and the lost. Jesus came to make friends with sinners and tax colletors. He came to call the sinners, the least of the society, and not the righteous. That is why he chose something that is very weak to give an indication that he loves the weak and he wants to be among the least of this world.

March Toward Calvary: This procession will soon be followed by another procession with the cross. There is no crown without the cross. There is no easy way to glory. That is why, there is going to be the Way of the Cross in the life of Jesus. When Jesus was transfigured on Mount Tabor, Peter has told him that he would build three booths. But Jesus told him and the others that it was necessary to go down the mountain.

The Palms: The palms signify praises, honor, appreciation. That is needed in life. But, that is not the only thing that lasts. Once we are on the top of our glory, we know there will be a lot of people to praise you and appreciate you. Once you are down, rarely people will come to give you company.

Jesus aware of his surroundings accepts the last greeting from people.

Today's reading from the Letter of Paul to the Philippians tells us that, Jesus "though he was in the form of God, (He) did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." [Phil. 2:6-8]

Points to Ponder:

Life offers moments of glory but they are momentary
But it offers most of the time pain and crosses (psalm 90)
Pleasant things really do not last long, but they are pleasurable
Hard work renders, and lasts
Hence, do not run away from the cross, rememebr it leads to crown

When I visited an old lady, I asked her, “how are you?” She told me that she was fine. But she also told me that she is the biggest sinner, but Jesus is going to accept her, because she never gave up his company in prayer and in her daily life. I feel this lady has a triumphed life.

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