HOMILY FOR PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION YEAR B, 24TH MARCH, 2024

Readings: Is. 50:4-7; Ps. 22; Phil 2:6-11; Mark 4:1-15:47

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

 

MAKING A JOURNEY THAT LEADS TO ENCOUNTER, CONVERSION AND RESTORATION

 

One of the most beautiful Sundays during this holy season of Lent is Palm Sunday, a very special Sunday that ushers us into the holy week. This begins with a journey, in which Jesus the King of peace invites us to journey with him. Though, we have many journeys to make in life, but this journey is a special journey with the Lord. A journey of encounter, conversion and restoration. A journey with the procession that reflects an image of something deep about our salvation. Telling us that, together with Jesus, we are setting out on a pilgrimage along the high way that leads to our salvation.

 

Thus, in our Gospel passages today, we have a comprehensive account of the Lord’s passion from the time of his triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem, as well as the time he was anointed in Simon the leper’s house, his Passover with his disciples, when he was betrayed by Judas Iscariot, arrested, put on trial, handed over to the Romans, condemned to death and was crucified like a criminal, as prophesied in our first reading by prophet Isaiah, which was also emphasized in our second reading telling us how, though he was divine but humbled himself to accepting death on the Cross for the salvation of Humanity.

 

These of course, represent two very distinct extremes between the glory and triumphant nature of his entrance procession into Jerusalem, and the humiliating and painful nature of his passion and crucifixion at Calvary.  Reminding us that we are on a pilgrimage with the Lord, the king of peace, who calls us to strive for purity of hearts and clean of hands, calling us to embrace the truth we found in him as we Journey with him through the activities of this Holy Week.

 

As the King of peace, there are three things about the kingship of Jesus. First, he is the king of the poor, though rich he humbled himself and became poor. The poverty of Jesus comes from the inner freedom which sprang from a pure heart that is above the human greed for possession and power. The inner freedom that overcomes the corruption and greediness in the hearts of men and women of our world today. Secondly, the kingship of Jesus will be that of peace. For he will do away with wars, crisis, hatred, corruption, greediness in order to proclaim peace on earth. Thirdly, his kingship will be universal. For his kingdom will extend peace from sea to sea and those seeking the face of God will truly find peace.

 

Dear friends, there is no doubt that every year we celebrate our Palm Sunday, but how has this sacred celebration changed our lives? How have we encountered the Lord through this sacred celebration? How has this solemn event lead us to conversion? To what extent can we say that we have experienced restoration through the sacred celebration? All this can happen to us when we open our hearts to journey with God. So, this Holy Week, we are not to lose hope or miss out from the spiritual aspect of this celebration. Rather, let us open our hearts and embrace the spirit of the season by spending more time with God in prayer, deepening our devotion through works of charity and through reading of the Scriptures, develop a personal relationship with God as we journey towards him following our Lord Jesus Christ in his passion.

 

In fact, this a moment when we have to be more close to God despite the ugly situation in our society. This should probably be a reminder for us, of the spiritual and social value of what Palm Sunday really represents, so that, in spite of all these darkness and uncertainties, all the despairs and terrible things all around us, we still have that very one hope and one faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, our King and Saviour. Thus, let us enter into the Holy Week with an open heart and mind, by letting the Lord to enter spiritually into our hearts and into our beings as gloriously and joyously as the people of Jerusalem had welcomed him with branches of palms and with great rejoicing and reverence.

 

But not just the physical branches of palms, garments or soulless olive branches, which delight the eye for a few hours and then withers, rather, with a pure soul, clothed in God's grace, love, mercy and holiness. Therefore, let our souls take the place of the palm branches as we embrace the Lord Jesus in his journey towards our salvation, and by so doing experience the presence of God personally and collectively in our lives.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we proclaim the kingship of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, let us embrace your kingship with all our hearts and so journey with him this period of holy week, desiring to be righteous and holy as we embrace your mercy and love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a spirit filled Palm Sunday celebrate.