Palm Sunday: Who Would You Choose? ~ by Phyllis Booth

Palm Sunday's Readings begin with the glorious procession of Jesus and the disciples into Jerusalem. The scene is one of joy, happiness and thankfulness; the Kingdom of the Lord has arrived and we'll become a joyful and happy people. The crowd sang Hosanna to the Son of David and lined the road with their cloaks and branches. The city was amazed and wondered who is this! They were told, "Jesus of Nazareth, the prophet!" The crowd welcomed Jesus into the city.

The First Reading by Isaiah recalls the harsh treatment the humble savior will receive as he comes to teach obedience, humility and justice to the children of God. Saint Paul's letter to the Philippians tells us of the love Jesus has for the world. He came knowing that he'll take the form of a human; his appearance will be human and he'll serve as a slave; being an obedient disciple of God until his death on a cross.

The Passion was well read and proclaimed. Matthew's Gospel relates the story from the point where the feast of the Passover begins. Jesus and the 12 disciples are in Jerusalem. The Chief Priest and Judas Iscariot have planned his capture. Jesus follows the journey already predicted for him. He reminds the disciples to have great faith because the coming events will bring sorrow to all who believe in him.

When Jesus is taken to Caiaphas, the High Priest and questioned, he remained silent rather than argue about accusations he was accused of saying or teaching. Upon being ordered to tell if he was the living Christ, Jesus' reply was "You will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." Caiaphas accused Jesus of blasphemy and urged the crowd to give their opinion. Jesus is sent to Pilate. Pilate cannot find any wrongdoing in the accusations presented and asked the crowd to choose Jesus or Barabbas to be set free. The crowd chooses Barabbas.

In choosing Barabbas, the crowd finally learns the truth about Jesus of Nazareth. All that the prophets before Jesus told of the Messiah came true on the hill of Calvary. He even rose from the tomb three days later. Barabbas, the revolutionary was free. Would he continue to follow his former life or become one of Jesus' disciples? Barabbas had tried to bring freedom to the people earlier. The freedom Jesus offered was release from the oppression of the unfair laws, taxes and customs of discrimination. His teachings provided a way for all to share a life of abundance of the earth's produce and products; to love one another; to provide for the widow and the poor and to receive God's grace and eternal life.

Two thousand years later, we are still struggling to believe and find the peace Jesus promised. The faith Jesus asked his apostles to have is hard to master in this technological world. The world gives instant gratification and we're happy for a time, while everlasting life seems an illusion.


~ Image from Hermano Leon Clipart