HOMILY OF POPE FRANCIS ON PALM SUNDAY ON THE PASSION OF CHRIST

HOMILY OF POPE FRANCIS ON PALM SUNDAY ON THE PASSION OF THE LORD

In pursuit of the truth - http://www.cinopsbegone.blogspot.com - Monday, March 30, 2015

From St. Peter's Square. 29th World Youth Day, Sunday, April 13, 2014

     This week begins with the festive procession with olive branches: the entire populace welcomes Jesus. The children and young people sing, praising Jesus. But this week continues the mystery of Jesus' death and his resurrection. We have just listened to the Passion of our Lord, We might well ask ourselves just one question.

"Who am I? Who am I, before the Lord? Who am I, before Jesus who enters Jerusalem amid the enthusiasm of the crowd? Am I ready to express my joy, to praise him? Or do I stand back? Who am I, before the suffering Jesus?"

     We have heard many, many names. The group of leaders, some priests, the Pharisees, the teachers of the law, who had decided to kill Jesus. They were waiting for the chance to arrest him. Am I like one of them?

     We have heard another name: Judas. Thirty pieces of silver. Am I like Judas? We have heard other names too: the disciples who understand nothing, who fell asleep while the Lord was suffering. Has my life fallen asleep? Or am I like the disciples, who did not realize what it was to betray Jesus? Or like the other disciples, who wanted to settle every thing with a swords?

     `Am I like them? Am I like Judas, who feigns love and then kisses the Master in order to hand him over, to betray him? Am I a traitor? Am I like those people  in power who hastily summon a tribunal and seek false witnesses: am I like them? And when I do these things, if I do them, do I think that in this way I am saving the people?

    Am I like Pilate? When I see that the situation is difficult, do I wash my hands and dodge my responsibility, allowing people to be condemned - or condemning them myself?

     Am I like the soldier who strikes the Lords, spit on him, insult him, who find entertainment in humiliating him? Am I like the Cyrenean, who was returning from work, weary, yet good enough to help the Lord carry his cross?

     Am I like those who walked by the cross and mocked Jesus: "He was so courageous! Let him come down from the cross and then we will believe in him!" Mocking Jesus....

     Am I like those fearless women, and like the mother of Jesus, who were there, and who suffered in silence? Am I like Joseph, hidden disciple, who lovingly carries the body of Jesus to give it burial?

     Am I like the two Marys, who remained at the Tomb, weeping and praying?

     Am I like those leaders who went the next day to Pilate and said, "Look, this man said that he was going to rise again. We cannot let another fraud take place!" and who block life, who block the tomb, in order to maintain doctrine, lest life come forth?

"Where is my heart? Which of these persons am I like? May the question remain with us throughout the entire week."

ghk