Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

 Lectionary: 37 and 38

....the whole multitude of his disciples
began to praise God aloud with joy
for all the mighty deeds they had seen.
They proclaimed:
"Blessed is the king who comes
in the name of the Lord.

We study the New Testament to meet and learn about the Lord Jesus Christ. And we also ask what is expected of us, his disciples. We want to know what difference he makes in the many lives we live as members of a family, as citizens, employees, neighbors, and so forth. 

We hope, or should hope, that we are the same persons of integrity -- that is, fully integrated with our weakness and strength -- in all those different associations, and bring the same values to them all; but that is not easily done. We're often faking it. 

The Gospels has much to say about the Lord's expectation of his disciples. Upon arriving at the Holy City of Jerusalem, he was greeted by a “whole multitude of his disciples.” That was no accident. Jesus had sent two disciples to every town and village he intended to visit on his way to Jerusalem. Learning of his plans, thousands of people – the faithful, the devout, and the curious – planned to join his pilgrimage. 

Of course, there was nothing new about celebrating the Passover in Jerusalem. Everyone who could get away observed that religious custom; it was a penitential practice, an annual renewal of faith, and an opportunity to visit old friends and family. If Jesus was truly the Prophet Moses had promised, or the Messiah the prophets foretold, his arrival in Jerusalem would be the most exciting event in their lives! 

But Jesus demanded more of his disciples than curiosity and religious observance. Three times he had spoken of what would happen upon his arrival. He would be arrested, tried, condemned to death, and promptly crucified – even if it happened during the Passover. In fact, it would be perfect if it happened during the Passover because everyone could recognize him as the sacrificial lamb who is slain as a fitting sacrifice to God, and for the forgiveness of sins. 

The Twelve Apostles – the elite among his disciples although they were not obviously superior to anyone else – were willing to go to Jerusalem with him, and willing to listen to his teachings. But they didn’t get the part about his suffering and death. It was too much to believe. Why would anyone expect such a horrible death, or want it to happen to them, or plan to make it happen? 

And when he explained its personal meaning for them: that each one should be childlike; aspire to be the least of disciples; and the most willing to do the most unimportant dirty work – they ignored that too. It made no sense, and there was no precedent for it. Had anyone in history ever renounced all power and authority, or refused wealth, pleasure, and security? Had anyone welcomed disappointment, setbacks, frustration, or failure? Sure, he talked about it, and he didn’t take advantage of his obvious superiority over them; but still, what were the odds? 

Of course, they had never been told by the scholars that the Lord Himself -- the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who had delivered them from Egypt and performed mighty works -- that very Lord had suffered their setbacks, frustration, and failure with them throughout their long history. 

Sometimes, when Jesus didn’t appear to be listening, they enjoyed arguing among themselves about which was his favorite. Even during the Passover meal, as you heard today: 

“...an argument broke out among them

about which of them should be regarded as the greatest.

He said to them,

"The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them

and those in authority over them are addressed as 'Benefactors';

but among you it shall not be so.

Rather, let the greatest among you be as the youngest,

and the leader as the servant.”

The secular world apparently has heard that teaching, and hypocritically uses it. We’re all familiar with service stations, banks, grocery stores, and merchants who are eager to serve the public.  Politicians call themselves public servants, and millions of people have signed up for military service. Invariably we suspect a hidden agenda which motivates the energy, banking, and political sectors. Service in the secular is usually self-serving with little reference to the passion and death of Our Lord. When they intend to do well they do good. 

We’re too familiar with service, but still unable to grasp the Lord’s teaching about “the greatest among you becoming as the youngest, and the leader as the servant.” He says these things after predicting his own passion and death. He seems to be building a house on sand; what’s the connection between crucifixion – which really isn’t going to happen! – and our dealing with one another? 

But, to the horror of the disciples, Jesus was crucified outside the very city that seemed to welcome him several days before. And they were left in silent despair. They had to see how ridiculous they had been in neither listening to his predictions nor accepting his teaching about becoming the least of all and the servant of all. They had to go back and reread the Prophet Isaiah, 

I gave my back to those who beat me,

my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;

my face I did not shield

from buffets and spitting. 

They had to pray in the darkness and silence of the Sabbath which began at the very moment the Crucified took his last breath,

The Lord GOD is my help,

therefore I am not disgraced;

I have set my face like flint,

knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

There is no disgrace in the service of God and one another, nor in disappointment and failure when we walk with Jesus and in his Holy Spirit. 

So what does God want of the Lord’s disciples, as we strive to be people of integrity while living as members of families, churches, companies, and citizens. How do we pull those separate roles into a harmony that makes sense and feels reasonably comfortable? We must serve one another; we must play team; each one must aspire to be least of all and the servant of all. My life is not about me; my salvation is not for my sake but for God's glory.  

Whether we are parents or children, employers or employees, consumers or providers, electors or elected, shepherds or shepherded, we must serve one another. Catholics call it the common good, We’re not fascinated or controlled by our personal desires, fears, or needs –as pressing as they might be. We have seen how God provides for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. We have seen how God provided for the Crucified Savior. He raised him up, restored him to life, and gave him all authority in heaven, on earth, and under the earth – an authority which he continues to use to serve the common good of the Earth and all its creatures.