Dearly Beloved, today is the Passion Sunday. It is the Genesis of Holy Week. Today, we recall that Christ's triumphal entry into the Holy City for the Jewish Passover on a donkey, not a horse, because he comes to bring peace.
The people hold up palm branches and sing Hosanna to him, the Son of David, the King of Israel. But in truth, he is the beloved Son of God, the eternal word made flesh and dwelt among us, one who is consubstantial to God the Father. He is not a human person, but a divine person from above who comes for the purpose to die and give us eternal life. Would you please hold up your palms for a blessing, and may it recall the triumphant entry of Christ into The Holy City.
Homily
One the things that is very noticeable of Christ through his passion, and death on the cross is that he remains calm. The cross was undoubtedly the most horrible way to die. It is a good thing that this form of capital punishment is no longer used in any society today.
The crucifixion was meant to prolong agony. It was meant to prolong suffering. A person could hang on the cross for hours or days before their end. It would've been more merciful to quickly end a person's life. But this did not happen to The Lord. He hung on the cross on Good Friday from noon to 3pm, which is divine mercy hour.
But The Lord remained calm throughout. The prophet Isaiah says described that he was the sheep that was led silently to the slaughter. Jesus kept his composure. Why? Because he knew that Heavenly Father will vindicate him. Heavenly Father will raise him from the dead on the third day.
Because we know the conclusion of the story, we are able to bear through Jesus sufferings. Because we know that he is risen on the third day. The resurrection on the third day is what we need to strengthen our faith and hope.
Now, with one stroke, everything that Christ did previously was wiped away because of the crucifixion. All his words, his signs and miracles he performed, healing the sick, raising the dead, these things are secondary. Because people wonder why God would allow the crucifixion of the Beloved Son to occur. Why did this have to happen to Jesus. But God turned things around. God removed the shame of the cross by raising Jesus from the dead.
But Christ demonstrates that he is the Master of his fate. He is always in control of his emotions. Even when he was sweating like drops of blood, he prayed: Father let this cup pass from me, not my will by yours be done. When he was scourged, he remain calm despite the pain. His faith was never shaken. The disciples faith were shaken as one denied him, one betrayed him, and others abandoned him. But his faith was firm. He was confident that God the Heavenly Father will make all things right.
Christ was able to take punches from his enemies without flinching, crying or fainting. He endures the scourging, crowning of thorns, verbal insults, and the crucifixion without shrieking. Although beaten and bruised, he is confident that Heavenly Father will turn things around. He will all things new. "There is no greater love than the one who lays down his life for his friends." "No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father."
No matter what the disturbance, like Christ it is important to remain calm and trust in Heavenly Father. The recent disturbance we had that affected many parishioners is the tax fraud. I was also a victim of tax fraud. But it's important to remain calm and to trust in God as we look forward to the resurrection and life everlasting. Amen.
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