The Nazareth Page -A gospel meditation for your home

April 13, 2025 - Palm Sunday, Luke 19:28-40

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
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We are entering the most important week of our liturgical year: the holiest of weeks! It is helpful to reflect on the week as a whole. I like to think of it as a drama in three acts. Act one: the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem; act two: the Last Supper; and act three: the death and resurrection of Jesus. To know why this all fits together, we need to reflect on, "what is the primary message of each act?"

Act one: Jesus enters Jerusalem. All through the gospels we witness the growing popularity of Jesus. He began what is called his public life as an unknown, a skilled carpenter from the small hamlet in northern Palestine. Once he was on the road, his message seemed appreciated. As we say, “he went about doing good.” He spoke of a loving and forgiving God. He showed God’s love by the assistance he gave others in need. He corrected those who appeared to misunderstand him. His love for others was boundless and inclusive of all. His reputation spread throughout the land. Eventually he headed for the center of Jewish life back then, the city of Jerusalem. He intentionally went there. That’s an important point. He was not forced. And he likely knew what awaited him. He was greeted as a very important person. Did he come to restore greatness and hope to the people? Many thought so. They placed palm branches before him, a sign of respect.

Act two: The Last Supper. Two features of this remarkable meal are worth our attention. First, Jesus washes the feet of those in attendance, an act usually done by servants of the host. But in this case, Jesus (the host) reverses roles and performs this act of humility and hospitality himself. Typically, the feet of travellers collected the dirt and whatever else was scattered along the road. In other words, washing those feet was messy and unpleasant. But Jesus wanted to do this as an expression of his relationship to those with whom he shared the meal. They complained of course, but he ignored them. He came to serve not to be served. And he invited them to do the same for others, especially if they were of higher social standing. Next, as he broke bread and poured wine, he said that they were fully consuming him, his body and his blood. In other words, his whole self was gift to them. The deepest of unions imaginable. And he also directed them to do the same.

Act three: His suffering and death. No words can adequately describe the depth of meaning for his (seemingly) last moments on Earth. He was arrested, put through a mock trial, experienced complete humiliation and suffered at the hands of soldiers. They nailed him to a cross where he hung in agony for hours before his body succumbed to the brutal torture and breathed its last. And he did all of this for us!!

David M. Thomas, PhD