Palm Sunday, 2016

Isaiah 50:4-7; Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 22:14-23:56

The Cross of Christ in my Weak Human Body

Listening to the insults against the establishment and individuals, as Donald Trump crusades his impunity against the weak and the feeble, creates spectacles for bystanders and theatrics for news anchors, but the individuals so diminished must feel it differently. The situation is not different for victims of religious intolerance, casualties of Boko Haram, Al Qaida, etc.: those who arrogate to themselves the power to unleash misery on others reveal the vulnerability of the human flesh and the glory of the cross the human flesh carries daily.

The plights of the servant of God, according to Isaiah’s account today, requests us to make sense of sufferings, human sufferings: is suffering meaningful or meaningless, for a servant of God? For example, that American politics has not gone down the drains require the accommodation of civil men and women in the face of the new barbarism rearing its ugly head in their politics; the slaughter of men and women by religious fanatics rides on the faith of individuals and groups who sue for peace at the cost of their blood. But how long shall we put up with these sufferings?

The risk for creating human beings is the price to be paid for freedom, human freedom. The woes of the Suffering Servant, in our first reading, is inscribed into the mission and acceptance of the mission of being a servant of God, from where each human cross takes its root. This cross does not spare God himself from partaking in it (sufferings), for human sin involves God in the pain of sin and the quest for a solution to the constant threat of evil and human disintegration. Our second reading shows God’s participation in the search for a solution to the pandemic of sin and evil.

The Philippians’ hymn of Christ’s humility provides an example of how to handle the problem of the human condition in the flesh, with all its vulnerabilities – suffering in silence because there will be a glorification to come. This situation is comparable to the dignity inherent in labour, even where the possibility of living on welfare is possible and available. The glorification of Christ, on account of the ignominy of the cross, is the expected reward of all those whose lot is to undergo the agony of the cross. But there is more, the standard for judging what is disgraceful has changed, worldly standards no longer serve as yardsticks for measuring success or failure, fidelity to our mission of freedom to be servants of God is the only criterion needed for a Christian.

The institution narrative of the gospel and its passion dimension demonstrate the vicissitudes of a Christian’s faith. In our journeys of faith, we sometimes betray one another and God himself with a kiss, like Judas; sometimes, we deny God in the face of difficult and embarrassing situations, like Peter; but like Peter, we need the courage of repentance. The Eucharist gives us the strength and courage we need to weather the storms of life. In the thicket of the vagaries of human emotions, God’s agonizing presence assures us of his support, even when we fail to watch with him one hour like the disciples on the mount of Olives.

Yes, Palm Sunday is the drama of surrender of the Saviour of humanity, who previously no one could trap or lay hand upon, who now makes himself accessible to suffering, torture and pain. Through his sufferings and pains, he reveals my life and your life of sufferings and pains, and suffers with us and for us; the inevitable clash between the freedom to love and the abuse of love because of human vain glory and crave for earthly power continues in every sinful deed.

Indeed, the resurrection is around the corner, but that doesn’t eliminate the pain of the present and the much needed courage to face the present. Our consolation, however, remains the power of God which triumphs over sin and death; our hope is that as Jesus goes through his Passion and Cross, God will lead our every step in the path of fidelity, justice and peace!

Assignment for the week
Can you encourage someone heavily laden with sickness or despair because of the tragedies or apparent meaninglessness of life or sufferings?