Palm Sunday (Mark 11:1-10) “Which Parade Will I Walk In?”
Palm Sunday (Mark 11:1-10) “Which Parade Will I Walk In?”
St. Ignatius Loyola, in his spiritual exercises includes a meditation on what he calls the two standards. The retreatant making the exercises is asked to pray about whether they want to serve the Kingdom of Christ or whether they want to serve the powers of this world. Did Jesus die on the cross because he was a threat to worldly powers? We could make that argument as we reflect on the events of Holy Week once more.
The week of Jesus’ death there were two processions into Jerusalem. One came from the west and one came from the east. Two important people were welcomed into the city. The man who came from the west was Pontius Pilate. Pilate was the Roman Governor. He didn’t live in Jerusalem, but he lived 60 miles to the west in Caesarea Maritima. The city was built on the coast. Maritima was new, the accommodations were comfortable. Cool sea breezes blew through the city. Jerusalem sat inland. Jerusalem was an old city that was dirty, hot, and full of quarreling political factions. Pontius Pilate would usually come to Jerusalem at the time of major feasts to reinforce the troops that occupied the chaotic capital.
He came in an imperial procession. The people of Jerusalem were familiar with these parades. The procession was a demonstration of Rome’s power and theology. The cavalry would lead the way, followed by foot soldiers in leather armor, helmets, and carrying weapons. Golden eagles would be carried on poles. The Eagle was the insignia of the empire. The banging drums, the clanking of metal, the tromping feet would be what people heard.
The procession also made a theological statement. Caesar Augustus, the emperor when Jesus was born, it was said, was the Son of Apollo, who conceived him in his mother Atia. Inscriptions on monuments proclaimed him to be the Son of God. When he died, he took his place with the rest of the Gods in heaven. His son Tiberius who was the emperor in the year 30 was also said to be divine. Many times, in history, autocrats have declared themselves divine. If it was agreed their decisions could never be questioned. The people who saw Pilate arrived probably had a mixed reaction. The bystanders who wanted to advance in society probably cheered. Most people who looked on were probably intimidated as well as resentful. We can imagine how we would feel if our country was dominated by a foreign power.
On the other side of the city another procession took place, the procession we read about at the beginning of Mass. The man who rode in that procession was astride a donkey. His power did not come from weapons of war. In fact, as a peasant, he had no worldly status. No, the power that he possessed came from the hope of an oppressed people. Jewish Theology said that a Messiah would come. Jesus claimed to be the anointed one.
His procession was the fulfillment of a prophesy. Zechariah 9:9 reads, “Rejoice heartily, O daughter Zion, shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! See, your king shall come to you; a just savior is he. Meek and riding on an ass, on a colt, the foal of an ass.” Jesus procession, then is also a statement of Theology. But it is far different then the Roman Theology.
The savior that rode into Jerusalem from the east was nonviolent. He chief attribute was his meekness. We should be careful in how we interpret that word. The person who is meek does not glorify themselves, but the meek person fights for justice for all. The meek person puts others needs ahead of their own. Jesus was an agent of change. He deliberately cast himself in opposition to those who abused worldly power. The religious leaders who were also the agents of Rome in Jerusalem had chosen to live their life for worldly gain. If their neighbors were trod upon, they did not care much. It was all about them.
We all are tempted to seek earthly power, wealthy, popularity. On this Palm Sunday we once again are confronted by the question of what standard we value most. If we choose the standard that Jesus represents, then we must strive to be meek as Jesus was meek. All other choices will flow from that fundamental choice.
Reflection Questions:
- Did I realize how politicians used religion in the time Jesus lived? Has anything changed?
- Is meekness a virtue I try to cultivate? How might I try to exercise it?
Dear Parishioners,
Happy Holy Week! We all hear that the last year has been very difficult. Perhaps this is true, but the events of Holy week remind us that life was a roller coaster ride for Jesus as well. He lived the full human experience. He had times of triumph like on Palm Sunday and he had times of great suffering like on Good Friday.
There is one overriding event that colors every other event in the life of Christians though, which is the Resurrection of Lord. At the end of the day sin and death do not have the last word. Jesus comes forth from the grave to bring new life.
I feel like our world has been in the tomb for the last year. We are slowly emerging from that tomb and new life is beginning. How will our parish be revitalized? What can we expect? I have found no Theologian or religious leader who dares to predict what will happen to our churches. Every prediction is a theory.
Will the faith be stronger because of the trauma of the last year or will people stay away from religion? We have one certainty that uplifts our spirits on Easter morning, which is, that at the end of history there will be new life in Christ. This is our faith, and it is what we celebrate this week.
May Our Lady and All the Angels and Saints watch over you.
Fr. Mark