Observers and Participants

Palm Sunday | 2020 | A
Vancouver, April 5, 2020

Probably the last thing we expected in our lifetime as believers, disciples of Christ, and faithful Catholics, is to be watching our Masses stream-lined on TV. And yet, for 2020, this is the reality of Palm Sunday and the Holy Triduum this coming week: not just in Canada but certainly this is true for Italians, and Spaniards, and in many parts of the US – and not just where there is a lock-down.
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Governments have intervened following the recommendation of health authorities, to ensure that people do not congregate – or move about in groups – and remain a couple of meters apart radically changing our daily activities – social and religious. Think of the word “congregate” which means to come together. And the synonyms, “assembly,” “church,” everything about being together - in communion --is an expression of our faith.

When we hear the language of our government and health leaders, the language sounds, very religious: they tell us as a “community we can do this together” combatting this pandemic – like struggling against sin, we can do this together; they say “we can help each other,” that’s how we grow in holiness, supporting each other. We depend on the choices others make “so we can get through this together” – to get through this pandemic. And this is true for sin. The language is about the community helping each other. It’s no loner about me. What I want. But how my choices effect others. The emphasis on community working, journeying, moving together has been fundamental to the teachings of Christ.

Now, in front of our tv/computer/ipad/phone screens we are unexpectedly attempting to do what we have never done before: participate in the Masses because there are no Masses to go to! And the Palm Sunday liturgy like the Triduum we find unfolds the central events of our salvation. Like a drama, this drama that took place two thousand years ago which we relive. We not only keep the memory of Jesus as He instructed; but more than keeping the memory as memory can be reduced to sentimentalism. Jesus wants us to participate in an actual way – truly present – to this eternal sacrifice so it is more than a memory, it is participating in the acts that He invites us to share in, so we may have eternal life.
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Where do we stand in the life of Jesus as these events of His Passion unfold as recorded in the Gospel of St. Matthew 26-27? Are we one of the observers, viewers, spectators, who watch at a distance to see what will happen next, what will be the next line? What are the words, and who says them? Where do we situate ourselves?

The Passion begins with Jesus being betrayed by Judas. Do I just watch Judas? Hear the words of Judas. And say, “thank God, I am not Judas in this story.” How could Judas do that? Or am I Judas, like Judas? Do we think of how we betray Jesus in our lives? How is betrayal sin? The sins of Judas were several interconnected as most sins are --  pride and envy and greed and hate. Judas’ sin was deep and profound – it relates to the very identify of Jesus; Judas does not believe Jesus is the Messiah; and Judas is willing to sell him off for a payment. Often, we think of Judas simply as a greedy person. But this is far more than greed; greed is the superficial expression of what lies at the core of a person: lack of trust. And so, Judas makes money from the fact that he does not believe Jesus to be the Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah.

Nobody wants to be a “Judas.” Of course not. The first move towards Jesus’ trial occurs only after Judas has betrayed Him and even more painfully, after they have all had this Passover supper together. This fellowship, this communion between the Apostles, one amongst them, who lacks faith, thinks in terms of making money by handing Jesus over. And this occurs with a kiss. Judas kisses Jesus to identify him. In St Luke’s Gospel, Jesus asks, “will you betray the Son of Man with a kiss” (Luke 22:48)? A kiss as a sign of unity, brotherhood, spiritual and familial bond. This is the sign Judas uses to betray Jesus. Do we observe Judas betray Jesus or do we see how we betray Jesus ourselves in our own lives?

At the courtyard of the high priest, one of the most disturbing reactions is that of Peter. We probably can all empathise with Peter’s fear – but to the point of denying knowing Jesus? Peter is afraid of ending up like Jesus -- tried and possibly executed. Are we disappointed with Peter’s lack of courage? Or can we say, I would have done the same thing – or even--  I do the same thing? How often do we lack courage to defend our Catholic convictions --  to tell people we go to Mass on Sundays? or we go to Confession to have our sins absolved? That we believe in traditional marriages so clear in Scriptures? and we defend and believe in supporting life, from conception to death? Do we have courage?

Or do we just join the mob, and repeat what the mob repeats: crucify Him. Crucify Truth.

Where are we at the trial when we hear, “We want Barabbas released,” and, “Let Jesus be crucified”? When even the Roman governor, Pilate asks, “Why, what evil has he done?” but we hear the people around us insist, “Crucify him.” Where are we at that moment? Remember Jesus died for the truth. And the mob, was not interested in the truth: the mob does what a mob does: follows the errors of everybody else. Because they do not listen to the voice of Jesus, to the voice of God, but what everybody else claims to be true – they follow popular opinions, tastes and trends – to the point of preferring a criminal over an innocent man.

At the foot of the cross, there are not many people if you consider all those whom Jesus had healed; plus the close followers of Jesus, His disciples. We know Mary, the Mother of Jesus was there, and John, the beloved disciple, and Mary Magdalene, perhaps one or two others. We’re left to wonder, where is everybody else? Do we see the Mother of Jesus at distance, John from afar, Mary Magdalene somewhere beside them. We watch them. They are at the foot of the Cross.

If we look above, there we see Jesus, bleeding, crucified, dead. He cannot hold his head up any longer. His hair mixed with sweat and blood and pierced with thorns. Nails hammered through his hands and feet on the Cross.
Blood dripping.
Nature itself seems to be shaking as Jesus sinless blood spills into the earth.
Where are we? Beside Mary, below Jesus, mourning with her.
The Son of God is crucified by an intelligent but foolish humanity that is incapable of seeing the innocence of a man and preferring the release of a criminal.

So, where are we in these events?

Jesus knew what was being asked of Him by His Father. He willingly gave up His life knowing one of his disciples would betray him and knowing another would deny him. The painful reality of the fallen human condition. Pride. Greed. Fear.

Jesus wants us to overcome sin, through his sacrifice on the Cross. And this Sacrifice took place once, the Son of God, who offered his body and blood. But this human act of a Divine Person allows us to enter into this act of Jesus offering Himself, in this eternal present of His Sacrifice. This eternal now is only possible because Jesus who is the Son of God, enables us to participate in this sacrificial act as we receive His Body and Blood. We are not meant to be observers, viewers, but we are called to being participants, receiving His Body and Blood which is the purpose of his Sacrifice -- that we can partake in it.

But in 2020, God has permitted a reality where we cannot partake in this Sacrifice. We are observers and viewers, united in a spiritual communion because of exceptional circumstances, and we pray we shall soon participate as Jesus had asked: eat my body and drink my blood.

This is why Jesus offered Himself.

Let us join Mary at the foot of the Cross, like participants longing to be in Communion with Jesus, not just here on earth -- as we pray for our present condition to improve --  but as Mary could see in her immaculate heart, united in the Eternal Kingdom, where Jesus reigns forever.