X

71 Central St. Stoneham, MA 02180

Browsing Reflections

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

          "Pilate addressed them a third time, 'What evil has this man done? I found him guilty of no capital crime.'" The Palm Sunday Gospel readings present a sad picture of grown-ups who succumb to peer pressure. Three times, Pilate proclaimed that Jesus was not guilty. But yet, he gave in to the mounting pressure from the crowd, whose "voices prevailed... and he handed Jesus over to them." Also, during the opening Gospel at the procession of palms, we see the adoring crowds hailing Jesus as "the king who comes in the name of the Lord," but only too soon the chorus changes as the voice of the crowd cries out, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" What happened to Jesus' loyal supporters? How did the mob mentality overtake them all? Then too, we have Peter, who in comfortable company with Jesus and his friends promised eternal faithfulness. But when others began asking uncomfortable questions, he caved: "Woman, I do not know him."

          These three scenarios give us a chance to reflect on our own faithfulness as we journey into Holy Week. Like Pilate, do we know the truth but abandon it when it becomes unpopular? Public opinion these days declares much Church teaching to have fallen out of favor--will we renege like Pilate or stand fast to the faith? The fickle crowds demonstrate another kind of weakness, where instead of thinking for themselves, people just followed those around them. Are we guilty of this kind of passive intellectual laziness? How about Peter's problem: do we change our story based on current company, or do we live as consistent Christian witnesses in the world? This week, may we have the courage to accompany Jesus all the way to the cross, no matter what anyone else may do.