So must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes may have eternal life in him. (John 3:14b–15)
Palm Sunday is not only the feast of Jesus’ arrival. It is also the feast of his humility. Today we stand on the threshold of Holy Week and, with the benefit of hindsight, see clearly that Jesus does not come to Jerusalem by accident. He does not stumble into suffering like an unfortunate victim whose good plans have failed. He comes knowingly. Freely. For love. He comes for us.
Palm Sunday calls us to decide today that this year we will not remain mere spectators. That we will not wave a palm branch for a moment and then stay behind, but will go with him. For this week, in which the whole Church year reaches its climax, is not simply a week of beautiful ecclesiastical customs. It is the week of our salvation. In the coming days the Church does not merely remember the past, but enters again into the holy mystery through which the world has been redeemed.
Today the Lord does not ask whether we already understand everything completely or whether we can walk the whole way without fault. Instead, he asks: do you want to come with me? Do you want to follow me?
Just as at a wedding the first question is not whether the couple will certainly be able to resolve every future difficulty perfectly, but whether they desire to set out on that path, so the Lord asks each of us today. If in your heart you sincerely answer yes, then he himself will also give you the grace needed for the path of discipleship. He never calls anyone only to watch from a distance as we fail. He calls in order to carry us, teach us, forgive us, feed us and strengthen us—to make us truly alive through his death.
See you at church!
