PALM SUNDAY, YEAR B; HOMILY BY FR. JUSTIN ADIELE
THEME: “DYING FOR THE LOVE OF MEN”
INTRODUCTION
During the liturgy of matrimony, during the exchange of marital vows, the couples vow “for better for worse…, till death do us part”. Christ the head and husband of the Church demonstrated his love for his bride the Church today; for better for worst. He was determined to give his life for his bride; not even in the face of death would he back down from his saving mission for his bride. Even death could not do us part nor separate us from His love; for he rose again.
THE FIRST READING (IS. 50: 4–7)
The first reading pointed to Jesus as the suffering servant of God who voluntarily gave into the suffering, spittle and shame of the Cross. He never took the option of running away from the burden of love of God his Father and the burden of love of the people. Initially, Jesus had tried walking privately, disappearing from danger, and slipping away from the Jewish authorities because his hour has not yet come. But today, he publicly embraced the hour of his passion for love of men.
THE SECOND READING (PHIL 2: 6–11)
The second reading presented a more radical testimony of Christ’s sacrificial love. For the love of men, Jesus emptied himself, humbled himself, and was born in the form/likeness of mortal men. He was not ashamed to share in our lowly human state/nature, in order to bring us to share in his divine/glorious nature. Driven by love for us and obedience to the father, he became obedient unto death, even death on a Cross. For doing this, he was exalted above all else; teaching us to also live and die in love and obedience to the Father and be also exalted in glory.
THE GOSPEL READING (MK. 14: 1–15: 47)
The passion narrative revealed to us in mystery and in reality the burden Jesus bore for love of us and the price He paid for our salvation. Jesus our loving savior, after laboring to do/make all things well for us in the physical world; enters the spiritual domain by paying the ultimate price with his life, to also make all things well for us in the spirit world. After lavishing his love/compassion for us; healing us, teaching us, delivering us, feeding us, shepherding us, and comforting us; he still had to die for us. What else has he not done for us, and what else/more can he not do for us! In return for his love for us, let us never deny him, betray him, abuse him, or profane his name and his love by the type of life we live.
CONCLUSION
As we mark the Triumphant Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem today to die for us, let us vow for better for worst, to love and serve God more sincerely and genuinely. Let us cease to be indifferent to his love, his gospel and his righteous laws. Let us emulate Jesus by emptying ourselves (giving up our pride, position, comfort, and talents) for the love and good of others. Let us reciprocate Jesus’ undying love for us by living and dying for love of Him. Let us develop unwavering passion for holiness and righteousness of Christ. And we shall never live and die in vain like Jesus.
Happy Holy Week!