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 PALM SUNDAY, YEAR C: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: THE AMAZING SHARP SHIFTS OF THE PASSION NARRATIVE

(Luke 22:14-23:56)

Today is Palm Sunday, a name it derived from the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. An entry that was greeted with waving of palm fronds, an entry that took place in history. An entry that spelt unspeakable suffering for our Lord Jesus. Hence, the turnaround or better put the sharp shift, which is one among the many shifts within the passion narrative. Hence, today is also called the Passion Sunday, giving the fact that narrating the passion of Christ occupies a better place in the Liturgy of today. In a very special way today marks the beginning of the Holy Week. Today is the last Sunday before Easter. We are called to make Jesus' experiences ours.

Let us reflect upon the shifts evidence in the Gospel of today. Viz:

THE SHIFT FROM JUBILATING CROWD TO PERSECUTING MOB 

We can also call this the shift from 'Hosanna' to 'crucify him'. The crowd was the same. How they changed from the hosanna they were singing to crucify him is what no one can totally explain. How did the few evil men who were insignificant succeed in winning the entire crowd over to their side? Evil has a strong power that if time is not taken one realizes himself when he is already in its ocean. We are invited to be careful with the crowd and be conscious of a turnaround that might possibly come from them. In your journey with the Lord, follow as a convinced individual and never be moved by any influence.

THE SHIFT OF PETER: FROM 'I WILL FOLLOW' TO 'I DO NOT KNOW HIM'

Peter assured Jesus of his loyalty. He reassured him of his determination to follow him to the end. Jesus knew how strong the wind was going to be upon him and prophesied to him what would become of him in no distant time. Peter failed woefully when the time came. What was the reason behind this? Did he quickly forget his pledge to Jesus? What a quick shift! What a disappointment! What a betrayal! Even before a young girl, Peter denied Jesus. Let us pray and be on guard against broken vows and breaking of our promises and decisions to follow Jesus Christ to the end. We've started Lent with the Lord, let us follow him in holiness this Holy Week so as to rise with Him at Easter.

 JUDAS' SHIFT FROM KISS OF LOVE TO KISS OF BETRAYAL

Jesus was so disappointed at the self-donation of Judas to the devil that he called him by name and asked:

Judas, are you betraying the Son   of Man with a kiss? Be careful when the Holy Kiss translates to a betrayal kiss. Beware of the shift of the trusted and know when he has gone over to the rebels.

SHIFT FROM JESUS TO BARABAS

This one is a very surprising shift. When time came for making a choice between Jesus and Barabas, who to release, the Jews unanimously cried out: 'we want Barabas not Jesus'. What a heart-troubling choice! Do we blame the Jews? Are we better than them? How many good people have we denied leadership positions? How many good people are languishing in our prisons unjustly? May God save us from shifts to evil.

PILATE AND HEROD: SHIFT FROM WORST OF ENEMIES TO BEST OF FRIENDS

Pilate and Herod used Jesus to settle their differences. Jesus became a common enemy. Most of the time, the mighty settle their matters with common good people whose existence pose threat to their evil deeds. The righteous are always victims in the hands of the unrighteous. But evil can never undo the good for long. We can also make out something positive from this by being means of reconciliation to warring parties.

THE POSITIVE SHIFTS

There's something good we can draw from the shifts. They were not all negative. The godly people know how to make out something good from situations that look unfortunate. Let's learn from the following figures.

PETER: FROM DENIAL TO REPENTANCE

When the cock crew Peter turned his gaze and beheld the sorrowful Jesus and he wept bitterly. You may have denied Jesus as many times as possible. Turn, weep for your sins. He will forgive you.

THE CENTURION'S SHIFT

The centurion declared: This was a great and good man. May God open your eyes to acknowledge his goodness and greatness. May your shortsightedness be healed. Many among the crowd also repented.

THE GREATEST SHIFT

Christ made the greatest and most unimaginable shift on the cross. A shift from the ordinary to the extraordinary. This shift was made on the cross, shortly before breathing His last, when everyone expected him to rain curses on his unjust condemners. He prayed instead: Father forgive them.

May we accept the forgiveness of Christ and also forgive others.

May the passion of Christ strengthen you to make positive shifts that will shape you up spiritually.

May we always keep in mind all that Jesus endured in love for us and endeavour not to break His Heart that has loved us so tenderly.

I wish you a passionate Passion Sunday and a fulfilled Holy Week.

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh