Passion Sunday

Reflection

“Christ Jesus… did not regard equality with God something to be exploited…”

When Pope Francis visited NYC in 2017, his mode of transportation was the lowly Fiat 500. (Oh, to be a fly on the wall when he got the secret service to agree to that!) Yet, Francis revealed the kind of intentionality Jesus showed entering Jerusalem on a donkey. For some it may seem like idiocy. Who in their right mind portrays grandeur riding on a donkey? A sleek, healthy horse; a big Mercedes, yes; but a donkey, or a wheelbarrow Fiat, never!

Today’s other readings follow suit. Isaiah suffers physical abuse, yet displays an unshakable faith in “the Lord God, [who] is my help.” Paul, to the Philippians, reflects on a Christ Jesus who takes the form of a slave, yet whose obedience is cause for our confessing him as “Lord, to the Glory of God.” Jesus’ humanity becomes a prism for seeing God, though he “did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.” 

In the Gospel passion narrative, one gets the sense that even if Jesus is not in control of all that surrounds him, nevertheless, he manifests the Spirit which causes the centurion observer to acknowledge, “Truly, this was the Son of God.” Despite the injustice meted out to him, Jesus is rooted in a faith in, and love for, the Father, such that no suffering, however terrible, could mask it.  

Prayer

Look, we pray, O Lord, on this your family, for whom our Lord, Jesus Christ did not hesitate to be delivered into the hands of the wicked, and submit to the agony of the Cross. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Fr. Marcel Rainville, S.S.E. ’67
Edmundite Campus Ministry

Scripture

Procession Gospel: Mark 11:1-10
First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7
Psalm 22:8-9, 19-20, 23-24
Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11
Gospel: Mark 14:1—15:47

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website