Homily, Palm Sunday 2024
From The Pastor
Holy Week begins with the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. It is a week that begins with the glory of the world and ends with the glory of God. These are vastly different expressions of glory. The glory of the world is often misguided. The world proclaims Jesus in glory as a man of great power and wisdom to heal and move hearts. Well intentioned, but like most glory offered by the world, it is not long lasting. Enthusiastic praise quickly turns to ‘crucify him, crucify him.’
The Prophet Isaiah describes a suffering servant who is given the courage to speak words of wisdom and hope to a despairing world. More than words, the unidentified servant accepts the buffet and spitting of a resisting crowd. Willing to suffer humiliation, the suffering one stands strong in the help and constancy of the Lord.
In the context of the Passion, it is clear the suffering servant anticipates the crucifixion of Jesus. Through the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, the true glory of God is revealed, and it is a glory of obedient surrender to death for the sake of all.
As the Passion begins, who really is on trial? Jesus is the subject of prosecution and accusation, but is he the guilty party that deserves a conviction of death? In the light of the Resurrection, it becomes abundantly clear it is not Jesus, but all humanity that is on trial in the conviction of sin. Jesus stands in our place taking on all human sin and the lie of evil by the surpassing power of a sacrificial offering of love, death on a Cross.
What does the scene reveal? Our God is vulnerable to love. God is willing to reveal and fully exercise Divine love for the redemption of all creation. Jesus is the focal point of willing sacrifice that reveals the nature and essence of Divine love. Jesus knows what he is doing, fully aware and willing to surrender his life in love of others. Do not miss the accepted vulnerability of Jesus. Jesus fully surrenders to undefended love by exposing himself to hatred, rejection, shame, persecution, humiliation, and ridicule, as well as torture and death.
The evidence is clear. Jesus is perfectly at home to himself in union with the Father’s love. He holds no inner division, no self-rejection, no false self to defend against the envy, jealousy, and evil of a deceived crowd of people. This is the revelation of Divine glory. True, undefended, obedient love unto death for the sake of sinful and deceived creatures whom God pines to redeem. In the truth of love, Jesus is willing to surrender self-preservation for the greater glory of God for the sake of our union with the Divine nature.
So, who or what is on trial? Pilate before a silent Jesus stands in for all of us. Do we say truth is on trial? Is love on trial? The truth and love of Jesus is rejected for the sake of a lie. Jesus is judged against the lie of worldly power and control in the rejection of love out of the fear of vulnerability and loss. Jesus instilled fear and vulnerability in the hearts of his accusers in the loss of power over others. Lies and deception become the manner of the day. Those in power deceive the crowd and create a hatred for Jesus seeking his death.
The lie and deception of evil is the illusion that worldly power is the great truth of human existence. Worldly power has its day in the condemnation of Jesus to death on a Cross. Evil had its moment. Darkness had its hour. And a short hour it was. Truth cannot be killed and Divine love will not die. The undefended love of Christ is revealed and reigns in the power of the Resurrection.
The day of suffering has its message, and we must accept its truth, disquieting as it is. Holy Week reveals the willing surrender of God in pure love through the vulnerable act of Jesus. The undefended love of Jesus is the only way humanity could ever be redeemed. We are acquitted of all sin by the one who stood in our place. This is the nature and truth of Divine love.
What is our response? Gratitude, honor, and praise practiced in trusting the love of Jesus given on the Cross. Jesus showed us what a fully realized human being looks like. Our response is to imitate the example of his love. Let God love you. Be honest with yourself before God. Be vulnerable, allowing God to love you in your best and worst qualities. Surrender to the transforming power of love to set you free. This is not easy because it demands honesty with yourself, God, and others. Jesus is the model. Love wins. The lie and illusions of worldly power will one day end. Those who live in love will shine brightly in the glory of God through the Crucified and risen Christ.
Father John Esper
Recent Sermons
Homily, May 5, 2024
May 02, 2024
Homily, April 28, 2024
April 23, 2024
Homily, April 21, 2024
April 20, 2024