Palm Sunday; the day in which Jesus rode int Jerusalem in triumph.
And yet, just a few days later, things would be so, so different.
As He rode into the city, on the back of a colt, with the shouts of ‘Hosanna’ ringing in His ears I wonder what was in Jesus’ heart.
He knew the shallowness of their praise, He knew that many of the people there, singing praises, were just caught up in the moment.
And He knew that this ride of triumph was in fact a ride towards death, and this same crowd who praised Him would in a few days’ time be shouting for His crucifixion.
The majesty and triumph of the moment were laced with fear and sadness at the pain towards which He was journeying. Perhaps, on one level, He fervently wished things could be different, as well as being Divine He was also human; and we humans try to avoid pain, not walk into it.
But there was no turning back; And, even if there had been a way out, Jesus would not have taken it.
His mind was set on what was ahead, because He was motivated by love.
And while, in this week of all weeks, we need to remember His pain and suffering, we must not lose sight of the reason for it.
When Jesus looked around at all those people who were shouting His praise, He loved them.
Every single one of them; even the ones who hated Him.
Love was the reason why He was willing to walk into the hands of those who despised and misunderstood Him so much that they wanted to murder Him.
Love was the reason why there was no turning back for Jesus.
Everybody failed Jesus; even the ones who loved Him the most.
His disciples fell away, even denied they ever knew Him.
His family did not understand Him. His community disowned Him, and the authorities killed Him.
Despite all that, Jesus went on loving.
As St Paul writes in Corinthians 13; “Love never ends. It bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
Because of such love, the people who had failed Jesus were given new beginnings and hopes that had died would be rekindled.
When Jesus looks around at everyone on this earth, He loves us all, whatever colour or creed.
In all our confusion, in all our weakness and hypocrisy; He loves us.
Even as we continue to cause Him untold suffering with our selfish pursuit of material wealth, which may even be threatening the planet itself, He love us.
Let us take hold of Christ’s love this week, and let it take root in our hearts, so that as we follow Christ’s journey to the cross, we may experience His true resurrection when we celebrate Easter.
Let’s continue to share His peace and His love with our fellow brothers and Sisters in Christ and with all those that we meet along life’s journey.
Amen