Holy Week: Palm Sunday

For the world’s top professional cyclists and avid cycling fans, today would be the Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders), and the Paris-Roubaix race would be next Sunday. These two early season races are considered “monuments” or “classics.” They generally take place at this time of year and are considered as professional cycling’s Holy Week.  Covid has caused some delays and cancellations this year, so the fans and racers will be on an alternate schedule.

However, the real Holy Week starts today with Palm Sunday and will end with Easter.  Despite the lockdowns, masks, and general chaos, our Catholic Holy Week will continue as planned, as it has for centuries. 

Today’s readings are LONG. They describe the events of Jesus, his followers and the local population as Jesus enters Jerusalem…and we enter the triduum and glorious Easter Sunday.

In the readings, with all the great history, theology, miracles and behind the scenes perspectives, what is it that strikes me most to inspire a reflection?

I’m struck by the fact that on Palm Sunday, Jesus is welcomed into Jerusalem like a conquering hero.  “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”. Palms and cloaks are placed on the road to honor him, to suppress the dirt and dust. Cheering crowds, excitement and pure joy abound.  But in just a few days, the cheers will turn to jeers. The adoring fans will disappear, and even Peter will bail out on Jesus (3 times).  Jesus is to be brutally beaten and killed.  Only a few folks are with him upon his death, of which Mary is one, of course.  In just one week, public opinion on Jesus turns 180 degrees.

Jesus’ truth did not change and did not get proven false. His miraculous works are a very recent memory for the crowds, but perhaps they quickly became “old news”.  Many blind can still see, and deaf can still hear, lepers are still clean, and those who were brought back to life are still around.

In today’s cancel culture and censorship filled environment, we can also have public opinion turn quickly. The rulers can tell us what the new truth is and cancel the rest…even if true.  Jesus was cancelled by those in power in the harshest way, with death. But because God is in charge, that death was needed in order to allow us to reach Heaven. The followers of Jesus did rise to the occasion three days later, and the rest is history.

As we sprint to the finish line of Lent, don’t fall into the trap of losing hope due to public opinion that is contrary to our Faith.  Let us keep the Faith, because we know the Truth, and we know how Holy Week ends.  Jesus is on the top step of the podium.   

Remain Blessed.

By Paul Verderber, president of GVM, filling in for Father Justino Cornejo

[Readings: Mark 11:1-10; Is 50:4-7; Phil 2:6-11; Mk 14:1-15:47]