PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION B
THE PASSION AS
DECISION
This Holy Week, even the simplest
of us when we look at the Cross, cannot help but ask: why did you have to
suffer and die, Lord Jesus? Our tradition tells us that God, offended by human
sinfulness still wanted to save us. However, God needed a victim who will carry
our sins and pay our debts to God. It had to be God’s Only Son, the Lord Jesus
Christ, the only one who had powerful influence and infinite value before his
Father. The logic is understandable but the effect in our thinking is not
great. What father will demand his only son to die? Did Jesus not preach of his
loving Father?
We can look at the passion of
Jesus in another way, in a fresher approach. Some theologians say that the
Father did not demand a victim. People demand victims. Our society is always
looking for scapegoats to blame, to punish and to hate. There are always people
we exclude, people we avoid - those foreigners, migrants, drug addicts,
homosexuals, immoral, poor, and sick.
Jesus willingly assumed the role
of a victim to expose our penchant for violence and hatred. He embraced the
destiny of suffering and death not because he wanted it but to put an end to
our bloodthirsty nature and to challenge us to become transformed. The ancient
Plautus was reputed to have said: homo homini lupus – man is wolf to another
man. Don’t we sometimes behave worse than hungry wolves to each other? Jesus
entered the den of wolves not to be devoured but to be their leader in the way
of reconciliation and peace.
Our readings illustrate well the
decision of Jesus to embrace his cross with confidence for love of us. Isaiah 50
speaks of the Messiah who willingly endures pain knowing that God is with him
and that he will not be put to shame. Paul in Philippians 2 speaks of Jesus’
voluntary emptying of self, humility and obedience. And though this leads to
his death, it also brings about the recognition and homage of all humanity and
the glory of the Father.
Today many people suffer not
because they want to. Instead they suffer because they, like Jesus, have a
purpose for others. Jesus shares the intentions of our overseas Filipino
workers, our missionaries to far-flung areas, our family members who dedicate themselves
to care for our sick, elderly and the young, provincial laborers who come to
the city. Maybe we too suffer out of deep concern for our loved ones. We are not
alone. Jesus walks with us. As we carry our cross, we are inspired also by his
promise of success, healing and new life!
