Holy Week and the mandate of Salvation

Holy Week: the most solemn week in the Church's calendar. It begins with Palm Sunday,  celebrating Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem and by the end of the week he would be a dead man. Talk about a startling turn of events....

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Crowds are fickle aren't they? Cattle could go from gently grazing to stampeding herd in an instant and human beings can go from peaceful gathering to rioting mobs in similar time. Pay attention to Palm Sundays reading that show both sides of our human nature: we have crowds shouting "Hosanna in the highest!" Such joy, such exuberance! five days later they would be  shouting "Crucify him, crucify him!" Such hate! Crowds are fickle aren't they?

This past week crowds gathered in Washington as the justices of the Supreme Court heard arguments on the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. They were passionate in their beliefs, for and against, coming out with placard and poem, slogan and song. Whichever way the Justices eventually decide will result in a huge segment of the population feeling disenfranchized. Such is the work and effort of men.

Not so the work of God, says the Church in Holy Week. Jesus' passion, death and resurrection brings salvation to all. It was offered to those who yelled 'hosanna' and to those who yelled 'crucify him', to those whose hands wiped His bloody face with a towel and to those whose hands held hammer and nail. It is the universality of our sinfullness that leads to the universality of God's gift of salvation and all that is required is that we repent, believe and be saved. God, the Supreme Justice has decided and no one need feel disenfranchized. Such is the work of God.

This week put yourself in the story.

Wave your palm fronds, shout your hosannas.
Be amazed at Jesus' works, marvel at his teachings.
Recognize your indifference and acknowledge even animosity.
Feed on the meal he offers, learn as he washes the feet. 
Stand with him before Pilate's Seat of Judgement  and follow him on the way to Calvary. Hear the sound of the hammer, listen to his last words.
Stand vigilant at the tomb, tremble as the stone is rolled away.
Worship him as he steps in the dawn-light of the new creation.
BEHOLD, HE IS RISEN!

Peace.