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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider A glance that leads to faith

A glance that leads to faith

Published Mar 23, 2024 04:16 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gird your loins

As we begin the Holy Week, we look back to Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. We received ashes from what we have burned of the palms of the previous year. Today we have fresh palms in our hands—a reminder of the new life that we have after the Lenten journey. 


We have two Gospel readings in the liturgy. Before the entrance procession, we proclaim the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. At the Liturgy of the Word, we listen to the passion narrative. In both instances, Jesus is depicted as king. His entry into Jerusalem was greeted with a reference of the coming kingdom of their ancestor King David. At the Roman trial and with the inscription on the cross, he was called “The King of the Jews,” as he was also derisively referred to as “the King of Israel” by the chief priests and scribes. 


What is disturbing is the dichotomy we find in the voices of Palm Sunday. As Jesus enters Jerusalem, we hear cries of “Hosanna!” At his trial the voices that we now hear are the angry ones crying out, “Crucify him!” How easy it is for people to forget! In the passion narrative of today, we find that sad reality which Jesus anticipated at the Last Supper, that his disciples would be dispersed, that he would be denied and betrayed by those closest to him. We find an interesting detail in Mark’s account when he narrates to us the episode of the young man who followed Jesus and leaves his clothing when he is seized (14:51-52). At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus called the disciples, and they left everything to follow him. In our case, at the time of the call, we are ready to leave everything to follow Jesus; in the hour of testing, we leave everything just to abandon him. 


Today, we look at the dichotomy of Palm Sunday in our life: the moments when in joy we lift our voices to the Lord and those times when we forget about him. This glance should eventually lead us to look at Jesus with faith—even in our experience of suffering. After all, it is in Jesus’ suffering and death that the centurion proclaims that Jesus is truly the Son of God. 


When do I cry out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” What are the dark moments of my life? Do I recognize the presence of Jesus in these times?

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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