JESUS’ PASSION

PALM SUNDAY - Matthew 26:14-27:66

With Palm Sunday, we begin the Holy Week that ends with the Pascal triduum, when we celebrate the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. On this Sunday, during the three-year cycle, we read the passion narrative of one of the synoptic gospels. And so this year, we read Saint Matthew’s passion, which deserves an attentive reading in an attempt to grasp some of the major themes. 

It begins with the betrayal of Judas. It surprises us that he belonged to the group of the Apostles. How could he sink so low and betray Jesus for a few coins - 30 pieces of silver, the price of a slave (Ex 21:32). And we may ask: Was it only for the money? Probably, there were other reasons. Was he disappointed, because Jesus did not fulfil his expectations? Maybe, he thought that Jesus did not recognise his value. Holding a grudge against Jesus, he decided on revenge. Jesus was well aware of his machinations and made it known during the last supper. However, Judas ignored the warning and went ahead with his treachery. Even though, he had not thought about the consequences of his acts. Thus, Jesus‘ sentence to death by the Council of the Jews came as surprise. He didn’t desire such an outcome. His sense of guilt was so deep that, in despair, he put an end to his life.

Among the disciples, another major figure during the passion was Simon Peter. He had been chosen to be the leader of the Apostles and had always shown a deep attachment to Jesus. Being the most outspoken of the Apostles, he gave expression to his thoughts and his feelings. He could not understand how Jesus was intent on going to Jerusalem and how he could accept (or even desire) to be killed at the hands of the religious ruling class. Warned by Jesus that he would deny him, he answered: “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” Those were the words of a braggart who overestimated his courage. Once put to the test, he was not able to stand by Jesus and quickly denied him. All the other disciples run away and went into hiding. Indeed, the sheep of the flock were scattered because the shepherd was cut from this world. 

Judas and Peter are examples of two completely different attitudes: Judas despaired of salvation and committed suicide, while Peter shed tears of repentance and, confessing his sin, showed his confidence in the loving mercy of Christ. He had made with Jesus a deep experience of love and mercy that filled him with hope, leading him back to Jesus.

We may look as well at Caiaphas and Pilate, the two most important figures in Jesus’ trial. As the high priest, Caiaphas presided over the Sanhedrin and conducted the religious trial, formulating the big question that would decide the fate of Jesus: “… tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus’ answer - “… you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” - led to his condemnation. Behind Jesus’ condemnation, there was a religious ideology that felt threatened by his actions and decided to protect itself by getting rid of Jesus. And they were ready to commit injustice in the name of God. Pilate, the roman governor, did not care about justice and truth, but about his power and the roman empire that he served. He condemned Jesus on trumped-up charges, just for political expedience.

In Matthew’s passion, we are invited to look at Simon from Cyrene who carried Jesus’ cross, at the roman centurion who recognised Jesus as a son of God and then at Joseph of Arimathaea who buried the body of Jesus.

As we meditate on Jesus’ passion, let us bring before the Lord the passion of all those who suffer injustice.