Gospel: Luke 22:14–23:56*
Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus replied, “You said so.” Turning to the chief priests and the crowd, Pilate said, “I find no basis for a case against this man.” (...) When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean. Finding the accused to come under Herod’s jurisdiction, Pilate sent Jesus over to Herod who happened to be in Jerusalem at that time.
Herod was delighted to have Jesus before him now; for a long time he had wanted to see him because of the reports about him, and he was hoping to see Jesus work some miracle. He piled up question upon question, but got no reply from Jesus. All the while the chief priests and the scribes remained standing there, vehemently pressing their accusations. Finally, Herod ridiculed him and with his guards mocked him. And when he had put a rich cloak on him, he sent him back to Pilate. Pilate and Herod who were enemies before, became friends from that day.
Pilate then called together the chief priests and the elders before all the people, and said to them, “You have brought this man before me and accused him of subversion. In your presence I have examined him and found no basis for your charges. And neither has Herod, for he sent him back to me. It is quite clear that this man has done nothing that deserves a death sentence. I will therefore have him scourged and then release him.” (...)
Howling as one man, they protested: “No! Away with this man! Release Barabbas instead.” This man had been thrown into prison for an uprising in the city and for murder. Since Pilate wanted to release Jesus, he appealed to the crowd once more, but they shouted back, “To the cross with him! To the cross!” A third time Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? Since no crime deserving death has been proved, I shall have him scourged and let him go.”
But they went on shouting and demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their shouts grew louder. So Pilate decided to pass the sentence they demanded. He released the man they asked for, the one who was in prison for rebellion and murder, and he delivered Jesus in accordance with their wishes. (...)
Reflection:
Read: Christ, the Son of God strips himself of his divine glory to become one of us, that we might be saved. As suffering servant, he humbly submits to his accusers and executioners. He is faithful to his saving mission and to God his Father. Peter denies Jesus, in fear. Most of the crowd does not recognize their Saviour, but some, like the repentant thief, do recognize Christ’s divinity, and ask his saving help.
Reflect: Today’s Palm Sunday liturgy combines the joy of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, amid cries of jubilation of the crowds, with the sorrow of the Passion, throughout which the crowds jeer at and mock the One who would save them all. Christ identified with Isaiah’s prophecy of the suffering servant, the one who does not shield his face from “blows, spittle or disgrace,” because he trusts in his loving Father, and he understands that the pouring out of his blood will forge the New Covenant between God and mankind.
Pray: Meditate with the palm leaves your received at church today and a crucifix. Think of your own faith and of its weaknesses. Pray the words of the repentant thief.
Act: Plan your week, so that you can participate as fully as you can in Holy Week, noting down times of prayer and of the liturgies at church.
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