REJECTION

REJECTION – Palm Sunday, Year C

            Jesus is treated as an outsider in the lives of many of His own followers. The Lord must feel like someone tolerated, but not really accepted by many of His own people. He is placed on the fringes of the lives of many, instead of at the center. He must feel like a stranger among some of His people, someone not well known, someone people are suspicious of, someone people fear instead of love. He comes last in the lives of many of His own people instead of first. He can wait until people do all sorts of things before He receives attention. The Lord must feel He is a burden, rather than a source of strength, light and salvation. He must feel like His people would rather listen to someone else’s words. He must be hurt by the indifferent welcome, rejection, betrayal, denial and turning from His church and teachings that He so often receives. He is, however, sustained by the faithfulness, fidelity, and love of many others.

            Palm/Passion Sunday has elements of both welcome and rejection. Palms show welcome and peace. The shadows of the passion and rejection form quickly though. How often that happens in individual lives too. A time of great welcome of Jesus into someone’s life is followed shortly by a great sin and rejection. The Palm Sunday crowd who loudly praise Jesus will just as loudly call for His crucifixion. The joy, openness, praise, thanksgiving and faith we have in the Lord has to be guarded, protected, and kept in our lives in times when the forces of sin can threaten our life with the Lord as it did His disciples that first Holy Week.

            “They spread their cloaks on the roadway as He moved along; and on His approach to the descent from Mount Olivet, the entire crowd of disciples began to rejoice and praise God loudly for the display of power…” We too give Jesus a warm welcome and acceptance into our lives. This first Palm Sunday’s welcome strengthened Jesus for His Passover suffering and death. Today’s Palm Sunday strengthens His Body the Church for our Passover suffering with the Lord. Like Jesus we have some idea of what lies ahead in our following of Jesus. Many who failed that first Holy Week were restored on Easter Sunday. Like us they repeated the cycles in their lives. If Palm Sunday has the shadows of Good Friday, Easter light begins to overtake the darkness of Good Friday.

            We find ourselves in the Passion account. Even if some have not wholeheartedly welcomed Jesus into their lives, or treat Him like an outsider, a stranger, a burden, and even reject Him, His Church and His teachings, He still wants to be to us an insider, known, our Savior, and faithful to us until the end. “I have greatly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” Jesus offers us His Body and Blood, His life given and poured out for us. He welcomes us into His life. He gives us His truth, forgiveness, healing and discipleship. His offer will be to the very end. Even if like Peter, we proclaim in some situation of our life: “My friend I don’t know what you are talking about. I don’t even know the man.” 

            Like Simon Peter’s world, our world makes those who follow Jesus pay a price in suffering, persecution, and for some even crucifixion. Many find it easier to let the world batter Jesus, and to mock His teachings and His Church. Yet even those who have rejected God and Christ can still find a welcome with Jesus. One of the thieves crucified with Jesus experienced this. He had perhaps heard Jesus preach about the kingdom, and had heard the different opinions of Jesus, but he ended his time of rejection and life by turning to Jesus. “Jesus, remember me when you enter upon your reign.” Jesus was strengthened by his acceptance and promised him: “I assure you: this day you will be with me in paradise”.

            We are all capable of both welcoming and rejecting the Lord as Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, and Good Friday events are worked out in our lives. We can be with the Lord on Palm Sunday, but not on Good Friday. Knowing this possibility, and knowing about Easter Sunday and the kingdom of God that Jesus promises us, gives us hope. We do well to know our weaknesses and rely on the Lord’s grace.

            Stay with the Lord this Holy Week!

Divine Mercy Reflection: #1487

“There is no way to heaven except the way of the cross. I followed it first. You must learn that it is the shortest and surest way.”