Lectionary Reflection: Palm Sunday

Readings:

• Gospel for the Procession of Palms: Mark 11:1-10 or John 12:12-16
• Isaiah 50:4-7
• Philippians 2:6-11
• Mark 14:1–15:47 or Mark 15:1-39

Thoughts for Your Consideration: by John Gonzalez, CPP

This week we celebrate Palm Sunday. As I read the lectionary readings I am struck by the following line from Paul’s letter to the Philippians: “Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave.” This line raises a great paradox within the Christian faith. Through his relationship with God Jesus was very much aware of his great dignity, but this status does not translate into social greatness, rather it takes the humble form of slavery. This paradox works both ways, as can be seen in Isaiah’s prophecy regarding the suffering servant.  He tells us that even after countless abuses the servant of the Lord does not suffer disgrace since “the Lord God helps me.”

Recently I have been reflecting on a line from Galatians which demonstrates this paradox more clearly in associating two words that seem mutually exclusive, Freedom and Slavery. “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.” (Gal. 5:13)

What could this possibly mean: to be free so that we can be slaves to one another? To celebrate the dignity of our God given humanity by humbly serving the human community? Does this abolish the concepts of Human Rights which we as a nation have championed since the time of our American foundation; do we then ignore the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which our Church has championed through the Encyclical Pacem in Terris?

As Saint Paul the Apostle would reply “By no means.” By Christ’s resurrection the dignity of our humanity has been reconciled with God. This was the freedom and equality that Paul spoke of in Galatians and Philippians. In affirming this dignity we affirm the civil, political, economic and social rights that we inherent in our redeemed humanity. But our responsibility in affirming our own dignity is to serve the dignity of all humanity since we have all been redeemed by the Cross of Christ. Paul reminds us that because Christ Jesus “did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited” God and humanity are reconciled.

The Gospel reading is the Passion narrative according to Mark. At this point we will struggle with the difficult image of Christ’s unbearable suffering and again we are challenged to accept His dignity in the midst of this grave social injustice. Keep in mind the place of the centurion in the Passion narrative according to Mark. While Jesus’ passion and death may not be a socially acceptable display of divine dignity it does seem to touch the hearts of those who witness this event, so that a pagan centurion can look on Jesus dying on the Cross and silently say to himself “Truly this man was God’s Son!”

We are called to celebrate our own dignity by placing it at the service of God and humanity. In doing this we, as Americans, are not only being witnesses to the incarnation, we are also giving witness to the theological vision of our own Declaration of Independence. While we recognize the inalienable rights which are endowed to us by the Creator, we also recognize our responsibility to uphold each others’ dignity when we “mutually pledging to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

Questions for Reflection in your Faith Sharing Group:

• How do you reconcile the divine dignity of Jesus with the reality of His passion?
• Where do you find hope in the image of suffering servant? In the Passion of Jesus?
• Reflect on the Christian virtue of Freedom as discussed in the quotes and reflection above.
  • How are you challenged by this apparent paradox?
  • Consider people like Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi, Dorothy Day, Martin Luther King Jr., Robert F. Kennedy and Mother Theresa. In what ways did these wonderful servants of humanity seem free?
  • Have you witnessed other men and women who have done great public service? How do there actions make you feel? What seems to be driving their actions?
• How do you see yourself as one sharing in the dignity and freedom of God? Based on this identity how do you address issues like, war, violence of all sorts, selfishness, failure, injustice, discrimination, poverty, etc.?