Palm Sunday – Gospel reading: Matthew 26: 14 – 27: 66
Many events took place from that first Palm Sunday all the way to Calvary: dramatic, profound, tragic and grief-filled events. It’s not only about the events, though. The account of the Lord’s Passion from the Gospel according to Matthew shows clearly what is hidden in plain sight: God’s plan of salvation shining forth in the deeds of the Savior who loves to the end and beyond and the individuals who kept loving him.
The apostles dwindle and fade away, most in quiet fear, one in a dramatic manner as shown by Peter’s thrice-spoken denial, while another, Judas Iscariot, abandons Jesus in betrayal and tragedy.
At the same time, biblical scholars remind us to notice the faithful women who were with Jesus in his moment of greatest agony. Perhaps the most compelling aspect is that their accompaniment of Jesus while he died on the cross is a natural response even in the midst of such violence and hatred. The women are just there and clearly mentioned for being present in that difficult moment.
The story appears headed to a crashing end. However, the faithful remnant character of those women, instead of highlighting an ending, actually signals the possibility of new hope. The world sees an ending, but their fidelity to Jesus in the good times and the bad, shows history and all humanity that hope would soon dawn.
The good that Christ had done inspired them, but there is more. The hope that Jesus made burn in their hearts did not end with his suffering and death. It was too real a promise, too gracious a love for everything just to come to a full stop. They knew there was more to the story. What the world could not see, the women remaining with Jesus perceived with hearts made strong and firm by love. Somehow, they perceived resurrection.
In order for us to perceive such a promise, we must first have within us the capacity for such fidelity as demonstrated by the unwavering example of the women at the cross. It is a fidelity born of gratitude and memory; a fidelity that manifests hope.
More than giving just examples of spiritual endurance, their presence with Jesus at the end is a sign that a new beginning is possible. People do not endure such circumstances and situations just because they have nowhere else to go or nothing else to do.
No, like those courageous women, people remain faithful because they remain in love; because they remain in Christ. In the end, only his love is able to bind us to each other, only love was able to keep them with the crucified Christ and it is love that keeps us in union with him.
His Passion, his Resurrection, his promise: our life and our destiny. Let us remain faithful; let us remain in love.
Fr. Charles Johnson, O.P.