Reflection for Vigil of Palm Sunday

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

In preparing this reflection for Palm Sunday, I watched the episode of The Chosen that shows the time before Jesus’s entrance into Jerusalem. I also was reading a book by Henri J.M. Nouwen that explores the concepts earthly power, powerlessness, and power of God. 

Jesus is well aware of the current climate in which many people of power in the political, economic, and religious institutions are planning to oppress and even destroy him. The tensions have been simmering and now are at the boiling point. 

Jesus knows that the time has come. In The Chosen Jesus tells his mother that he is so sorry she will have to go through this and witness what will happen in the coming days. Jesus sets out on his journey knowing the danger ahead of him. 

In powerlessness, he enters Jerusalem on a lowly colt and allows his disciples and the great crowd of followers to glorify him as king and blessed of the Lord. When some of the Pharisees tell him to rebuke his disciples, Jesus replies that even if they were quiet the “stones will cry out.”  His powerlessness disarms power with mercy and love. 

During the events of this Holy Week, Jesus chooses to act in powerlessness; and in his actions and words, he reveals the power and love of God. When Mary anoints Jesus with costly perfumed oil, Judas rebukes her. Jesus tells him to leave Mary alone; and Jesus affirms her acts of love and kindness toward him. 

At the last supper, Jesus knows that Peter will deny him and Judas will betray him. He knows the others apostles will run away. In an act of service and kindness Jesus washes their feet and shows God’s healing love and mercy to them. 

In the garden as Jesus is arrested, Peter struck the high priest slave and cut off his ear. Jesus told Peter to put away the sword, and he heals the servant. In powerlessness, Jesus is led away to fulfill his mission to liberate and reconcile us to union with God.

Jesus is filled with the power of God, and his response to Pilate disarms Pilate, who admits he finds no guilt in Jesus. On the cross, Jesus in mercy tells the man next to him that he will come into Paradise with him. Jesus ignores the taunts to come down from the cross and prays to the Father to forgive all who harm him. Before he dies, he reaches out in love to his beloved disciple asking him to be family for his mother.

We know that in the end God’s power of mercy, peace, joy and love calls Jesus and all of us to new life. Now we, pilgrims of hope, are called to “spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth.” May God guide us and strengthen us on our journey.