SERMON/HOMILY FOR PALM SUNDAY YEAR B 24TH MARCH 2024

SERMON/HOMILY FOR PALM SUNDAY YEAR B 24TH MARCH 2024

Mark 11:1-10; Isa.50:4-7; Ps.22; Phil.2:6-11; Mark 14:1-15:47

“ _Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord_ !” (Mark 11:10b)

The Power of Self-encouragement!

On this Palm Sunday we recount and learn from the events of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. This entering into Jerusalem was strictly for the purpose of Jesus’ Passion; he will not make it out of Jerusalem alive. He knew of all these even as he enjoyed everything triumphant about his entering into Jerusalem. It is often said that in prosperity, our friends know us, but in adversity, we know our friends. The truth of this statement unfolded in the twist of events from Palm Sunday down through the Holy Week. Jesus is popular today; the disciples are at his service, the crowds are associated with him, the whole Jerusalem felt it that a high profile personality has arrived. Even the colt on which he rode added clamour to the whole scenario. The palm branches qualified the entrance as peaceful not warlike.

On his part, Jesus contributed and planned for the gloriousness of his entering into Jerusalem. From the gospel reading before the procession, we see that it was when Jesus drew near to Jerusalem that he sent two of his disciples to go get a coat (a baby donkey). He will not enter Jerusalem journeying on foot. The choice of a colt speaks of his humility and simplicity. In Luke’s account of this gospel (Lk.19:28-40), some Pharisees tried to halt the whole glorious ceremony by asking Jesus to rebuke his disciples. To show his approval for all that was happening, Jesus answered that if the people become silent, the very stones will cry out; as if to say: nothing can stop my glorious entry into Jerusalem. But then, if this whole cry of Hosanna in the highest will fade away in few days’ time, why did Jesus seem to enjoy it? Was it not this same Jesus who some time ago, warned the disciples to beware of the yeast of the Pharisees? If he could foresee Peter’s denial, he should have known that these people chanting Hosanna in the highest will cry out: “crucify him” in the next few days.

The focus of Jesus was not principally on the crowds but on himself and his mission. Jesus is truly a king, he deserved to be celebrated; his kingship is higher than that of this world, he deserved to be more celebrated; he has done many good works for humanity, he deserved to be celebrated; he has come to save the world, he deserved to be celebrated; he will not shy away from the cross but will embrace it wholeheartedly, he deserved to be celebrated. So we can say that on this Palm Sunday, Jesus celebrated himself for what he has done and the ultimate sacrifice that he was about to do. It was a celebration that though was not devoid of the impeding passion, rather saw the light at the end of the tunnel.

Beloved, what we learn from Jesus is the essence of self-encouragement. Irrespective of the acceptance or rejection of those around you, learn to find inner strength in moving on with whatever good you do. Like Jesus, you know your story more than anyone else. You know the effort you put in to embrace virtue and discard vices. You know the battle you fight within you to keep your weaknesses in check. You know the sacrifices you make in giving your time, talent and treasure out in charity. You know the effort you put in to forgive those who hurt you deeply and maybe purposefully. You know the countless number of times your goodness has been repaid with wickedness, yet you keep being good; the list is endless. You are not yet perfect, but if you must keep up the struggle, you need to commend, encourage and celebrate yourself. When you do this with a sense of appreciation that you are what you are by the grace of God, then you will not be pompous or arrogant about it.

Beloved, life is always a twist of joyful and sorrowful events. Today’s celebration invites us to carry our crosses with glooming faces and cheerful hearts because the Lord has not abandoned us. The suffering servant in the first reading of today exclaimed that he willingly gives himself to others despite the pain this causes him. He is able to bear the cross because the Lord God helps him therefore he has not been confounded; he shall not be put to shame. Shortly after this triumphant entry, Jesus will sweat blood in the garden of Gethsemane; on the way to Calvary, his kingship will be mocked; on the cross, his divinity was tested by the thief by his left. In all of these, Jesus did not die of depression or of the feeling of abandonment but in total and free giving of the self. See, without a sense of self-worth, we will be easily swept away by the malicious identity others will place on/give to us. Know yourself, so that when others call you what you are not, you will neither be confused nor bordered.

The triumphant entry of Jesus was not pride because it was not devoid of the sense of sacrifice. Job noted, that if we receive good things from God, should we not also receive the “bad”. There is nothing wrong with celebrating when good thing happens to you; but it will be wrong when you celebrate with the intention that you will never have crosses to carry. This is the danger of the prosperity gospel. It invites people to a glorious life that is totally devoid of crosses. With both hands Jesus accepted his triumphant entry into Jerusalem; with both hands also, he accepted the passion that came shortly after. This should teach us that if we humble ourselves before God, our story must surely end in glory. Let the events of this holy week teach and remind us that God has not promised us a cross less Christianity but a victorious one. There can be no victory without the cross.

Note: you cannot effectively gain the merits of this Holy Week from the confines of your room or places of work. Ensure that you participate in all of the outlined programs. The fruit of full participation cannot be overemphasized. May this week be truly holy for us all. Amen.