The Walk - Homily Palm Sunday

Today the Gospels tell of Jesus’ experience during the time we call Holy Week. It begins Jesus riding victoriously on a colt into Jerusalem. Then the Gospel of Mathew continues with betrayal, the last supper, the agony in the Garden, the arrest of Jesus, his trial, and crucifixion.

The Gospel tells us of

•      Jesus who knows what is to come.
•      Jesus understanding it is for the good of all.
•      Him realizing and accepting the Father’s will.
•      The human Jesus and the divine Christ.

It is also the story the people who walked with Jesus and their human failures. Judas Iscariot falls prey to greed and for 30 pieces of silver, betrays Jesus with a kiss. Peter falls to his fear. “My faith will never be shaken.” And he denied Jesus three times. 

Twelve people, Jesus’ disciples and friends are put to the test. All failed by human weakness. Watch & pray you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Today, we can all relate to their test during this time of isolation & quarantine.

I’m lucky to be quarantined with 2 of my 3 grandchildren; a 6 y.o. and a 19 m.o. boys. This is gratifying, consoling, and terrifying. In quarantine, I’ve discovered the 19 m.o. thinks closed doors are to open and contents pulled out, heights are to climb, and punishment is overcome by curling up on Poppy’s lap with a kiss.

I worry a trip to the store brings sickness home. I’m concerned about social distancing at mass. Will I cause my grandchildren or my children or my wife or mother to get sick? I’m tested because Christ called me to follow him. We are put to the test.

Friends, this time is not unique it has been repeated over the years: Plagues, pestilence, wars, oppression and persecution that brings no priest, no mass, no Eucharist, and absence of community.

All of this is part of the story of those who walk with Jesus

Jesus tells us in the Gospel, all of you will have your faith shaken. The Church is tested. Faith undergoes trial. The Gospel is challenged.

In times of no Eucharistic meal; prayer, faith, and devotion to Christ Jesus prevails. When there was no priest to minister, the faithful share prayers, the gospel, and community even in the smallest groups.

The Church (the body of believers) has passed the test fighting fear, greed, laziness, and human weakness with a devoted belief in the Gospel and Jesus Christ, prayer and undying faith.  

This quarantine has many of us feeling deprived. This Holy Week realize this: We are not deprived. Christ Jesus died for our sins. He died for our salvation.

We are not deprived Easter, because He rose from the grave in the promise of eternal life.

During this crisis, when we question God, question one’s self, do I walk with Him: Am I ready to die with Him?

As we pray that God in his mercy takes this cup from us, remember God’s mercy is all around us.

God’s mercy is in the health care workers who sacrifice so much taking care of the sick and dying. His mercy is in the people working to provide food, necessities, and protection. God’s mercy is found even in our leaders whose hearts are open to Him.

God mercy is doing what we should be doing. Ask God’s mercy for our community and the whole world in our prayers and devotions.

More than ever this crisis in the world calls us to be good and holy people, praying for God’s mercy, and for the time we can come together again. 

Amen.