St James Catholic Church

We begin the holiest week of the year by holding palm branches in our hands, which recall the palm branches the crowds used two thousand years ago to welcome the Lord into the holy city. Our palm branches are blessed, for they also welcome the Lord to this holy place. Though the people of Jerusalem had no idea what the true nature of Jesus’ triumph would soon be, we do and so we anticipate Jesus’ ultimate victory while recognizing the intense suffering and profound grief that will accompany it. We raise our voices along with our branches as we sing, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!”

When Jesus entered the provincial capital of Jerusalem, he proclaimed that the very stones would cry out as the authorities tried to silence his disciples. But when Jesus was put on trial, no one spoke up for him. Peter denied even knowing him, the rest of the disciples fled, and the stones themselves remained silent. Was Jesus mistaken? Or was he speaking of a more distant show of support? Indeed, over the course of the last two millennia, millions of churches such as ours have sung out virtually the same words as his disciples, recalling this very event. We are the ones who will not keep silent.

Then, in our Gospel the mood changes quickly, as we read the Passion of the Lord. Luke’s version includes three examples of Jesus’ mercy toward sinners that are not mentioned by the other evangelists. First, for Peter, even as Jesus tells him that he will deny him three times, he also tells him that when he turns back, he must strengthen the other disciples. Implicitly he forgives Peter for the cowardice he knows that he will show under duress, going so far as to rely on this disciple who will show terrible weakness to be a source of strength in the future. Later, Luke alone writes that when the cock crowed, Jesus turned and looked at Peter. Without saying anything more, we know that Jesus did not look at him in anger or disappointment, but with sympathy and mercy. Second, for those who played a role in his death, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do” and finally, for the penitent criminal on the cross who he assures will be with him in heaven. Right up until his final breath, Jesus offered unconditional mercy to those who needed it. We are those sinners in need now. Have a wonderful Holy Week.

Love, Peace, Joy,

Fr. Bob