A Study in Contrasts - Palm Sunday (3/28/2021)

Blessing of Palms: Mark 11:1-10 or John 12:12-16

Isaiah 50:4-7
Psalm 22
Philippians 2:6-11
Mark 14:1-15:47

Today’s celebration has a dual focus: the Blessing of Palms and Procession commemorating the glorious entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem amid the cheers and palm branches of the crowd; then the Mass, in which the emphasis is on the Passion and Death of Jesus. In fact, today is officially called “Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord.” We go from Palms to Passion in the space of an hour or so! Holy Week and Good Friday bring us to a bitter remembrance. But we rejoice that just one week from now, we are back to glory again celebrating the Lord’s resurrection. Indeed, Holy Week is a study in contrasts.

BLESSING OF PALMS AND PROCESSION

Jesus started his procession to Jerusalem at Bethphage, on the Mount of Olives near Bethany, where Martha, Mary, and Lazarus lived. Jesus began this week by receiving the Hosannas from the crowds who laid their cloaks and leafy branches on his path. This would soon change, however, and the Mass reflects that change – a study in contrasts.

ISAIAH

This reading is the third song of the Suffering Servant. It emphasizes the docility and obedience of Jesus, as well as his suffering and pain. It ends with a firm declaration of faith and trust: “The Lord God is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.” Faith, trust, and determination in the face of suffering, pain, and shame – a study in contrasts.

PHILIPPIANS

Christ Jesus – the Son of God – emptied himself, becoming a slave, obedient to death on a cross…a study in contrasts. The reading continues with God exalting him, giving him the name above every other name, to which every knee should bend and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. The contrasts here could not be more striking!

PASSION

The account of the Passion cannot be adequately summarized in this brief article. I just want to note Jesus’ word from the cross – the only one of the Seven Last Words recorded by Mark: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This is the first verse of Psalm 22, used as our Responsorial today. Here, too, we see at least two contrasts.

One contrast would be that Jesus, the beloved Son of the Father, would give voice to such a lament of a person being abandoned by God. The other contrast is within the psalm itself. It begins with a bitter complaint of one who is enduring intense pain and suffering. It ends, however,  with a note of hope and praise of the Lord. Many contrasting features here in a liturgy filled with contrasts! It reminds us that Jesus is indeed a “sign of contradiction” as prophesied by Simeon only 40 days after his birth (cf. Luke 2:34).

CONTRASTS

A fitting conclusion to this Palm Sunday reflection is a chant sung by the Benedictines at St. Joseph Abbey  during the reading of the Passion. It aptly brings out the contrasts and paradoxes inherent in the Incarnation and Passion of Jesus:

O that pain, now ended in his glory!
O that shame, now lost in joy unknown!
Tell it out with praise, the whole glad story;
Human nature at the Father’s throne.