PALM SUNDAY, YEAR B; HOMILY BY FR. JUSTIN ADIELE
THEME: "DYING FOR
THE LOVE OF MEN"
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INTRODUCTION
During the liturgy of matrimony, during the exchange of
marital vows, the couples vow “for better for worse…, till death do us part”.
Christ the head and husband of the Church demonstrated his love for his bride
the Church today; for better for worst. He was determined to give his life for
his bride; not even in the face of death would he back down from his saving
mission for his bride. Even death could not do us part nor separate us from His
love; for he rose again.
THE FIRST READING
(IS. 50: 4 – 7)
The first reading pointed to Jesus as the suffering servant
of God who voluntarily gave into the suffering, spittle and shame of the Cross.
He never took the option of running away from the burden of love of God his
Father and the burden of love of the people. Initially, Jesus had tried walking
privately, disappearing from danger, and slipping away from the Jewish
authorities because his hour has not yet come. But today, he publicly embraced
the hour of his passion for love of men.
THE SECOND READING
(PHIL 2: 6 – 11)
The second reading presented a more radical testimony of
Christ’s sacrificial love. For the love of men, Jesus emptied himself, humbled
himself, and was born in the form/likeness of mortal men. He was not ashamed to
share in our lowly human state/nature, in order to bring us to share in his
divine/glorious nature. Driven by love for us and obedience to the father, he
became obedient unto death, even death on a Cross. For doing this, he was
exalted above all else; teaching us to also live and die in love and obedience
to the Father and be also exalted in glory.
THE GOSPEL READING
(MK. 14: 1 – 15: 47)
The passion narrative revealed to us in mystery and in
reality, the burden Jesus bore for love of us and the price He paid for our
salvation. Jesus our loving savior, after laboring to do/make all things well
for us in the physical world; enters the spiritual domain by paying the
ultimate price with his life, to also make all things well for us in the spirit
world. After lavishing his love/compassion for us; healing us, teaching us,
delivering us, feeding us, shepherding us, and comforting us; he still had to
die for us. What else has he not done for us, and what else/more can he not do
for us! In return for his love for us, let us never deny him, betray him, abuse
him, or profane his name and his love by the type of life we live.
CONCLUSION
As we mark the Triumphant Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem
today to die for us, let us vow for better for worst, to love and serve God
more sincerely and genuinely. Let us cease to be indifferent to his love, his
gospel and his righteous laws. Let us emulate Jesus by emptying ourselves
(giving up our pride, position, comfort, and talents) for the love and good of
others. Let us reciprocate Jesus’ undying love for us by living and dying for
love of Him. Let us develop unwavering passion for holiness and righteousness
of Christ. And we shall never live and die in vain like Jesus.
Happy Holy Week!
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