Readings for Palm Sunday:
Luke 22:39-23:56
April 1, 2007
The Rev. Karen Faye Siegfriedt
St. Jude the Apostle Episcopal Church, Cupertino, CA
Today is April Fool’s Day. Though it is not an official holiday, it is a notable day recognized in many countries. The day is celebrated by playing practical jokes, deceit, and surprises on unsuspecting friends and neighbors for the purpose of embarrassing the gullible. It seems fitting that we should celebrate Palm Sunday on this day. Why? Today we are somewhat fooled as we experience a complex liturgy that has many twists and turns.
We begin the service with the waving of palms, singing of hosannas, and great joy. This early part of the liturgy is done to remind us of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem; a time of great hope, expectation, and celebration by his followers who longed for a society based on compassion and justice. But as you know, things did not turn out the way they had expected some 2000 years ago. These events are reflected in the liturgy.
Just as we are getting settled into a posture of hope, the tone begins to change as we read the Passion Narrative according to the Gospel of Luke. The passion reminds us of Jesus’ mock trial, his subsequent torture, and final execution on the cross. It reminds us of what happens when jealousy, power plays, and fear enter into the equation. This particular part of the story ends in darkness and we will all leave the sanctuary in silence. It is as if a joke has been played on us and we are deeply affected.
In Luke’s account of the passion, there are certain themes that are evident. Women play a prominent role in this gospel. Themes include: prayer, forgiveness, healing, and ministering to those in need. The importance of prayer is significant in this particular narrative. “Prayer is responding to God, by thought and by deeds, with or without words.” [BCP 856] Jesus prays throughout his trial, not as an insurance policy, but for strength to remain faithful in a time of crisis. While his prayer did not ultimately save him from great suffering, it did fortify him for the suffering that he did endure. It also prevented him from the temptation of endorsing the cycle of violence when the going got tough.
There are certain events (reported by Luke) that are not in any of the other gospel accounts of the Passion. These themes include the following:
- In Luke’s gospel, Jesus heals the ear of the slave of the high priest. While other gospels report the cutting off of the slave’s ear by one of Jesus’ followers, only Luke shows Jesus having the where-with-all to reach out to someone in pain with a healing touch. In spite of his own trial and tribulation, Jesus exclaims: “No more of this!,” No more retaliation, no more bloodshed, no more rule by might, no more victimization of others. Herein lies the core of Jesus’ teaching: Apart from repentance and commitment to the Kingdom of God, there is no hope for an end to violence and suffering.
- Unique to Luke’s gospel is the report of the interaction between Herod and Pilate. After finding out that Jesus is a Galilean, Pilate sends him to Herod to evaluate the situation. This act of consideration reconciled the broken relationship between Herod and Pilate. Notice however, this interaction did not reconcile Herod or Pilate to God.
- The women beating their breasts and wailing and Jesus’ subsequent response to these “daughters of Jerusalem,” are also unique to Luke. Inclusivity and compassion for women and those on the margins are prominent in Jesus’ ministry.
- Finally, only Luke reports the detailed dialogue between the two criminals and Jesus who have all been crucified. A dying Jesus extends mercy to one of the wretched. Like the poor, crippled, blind, and lame in Jesus’ parable of the great banquet, the criminal would feast, that day, in eternal glory.
It is easy to shout hosannas when things are going great. But when we are experiencing fear, disappointment, or deprivation, it is very hard to take a risk, to rise up above the crowd, and to stand up for justice and righteousness. Those who shouted hosannas during Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, may have also shouted “crucify him” at the end. Let us pray that we may not enter into such temptation.
| Updated 04/03/07 |
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