Palm Sunday

The events of Jesus’ Passion were utterly unfair. It was a horrible breach of justice. The governor knew that Jesus was innocent. Everybody knew. Even Pilate’s wife knew. And Pilate himself declared that Jesus was a just person, and washed his hands before all the people. Here’s your verdict: not guilty.  Emphatically. And yet, an utterly corrupt government still orders his crucifixion. A horrible injustice. Not only so, but he was treated terribly, by the Jews, and then by Pilate’s own soldiers. They were the guity ones, not he. And in addition, Jesus’ disciples too: they were guilty.  They all forsook him and fled, during his hour of need. He who would never forsake them, is now forsaken by them. And we ourselves, we are likewise all guilty. It is we that deserve this treatment, not he. And in addition, even God forsook him. He cried, My God, my God, why hast though forsaken me? But that is precisely what had to happen, if we poor sinners were to be saved. The people cried out, his blood be on us and on our children. They meant one thing by it, but to us it must mean something else: his Blood is indeed on us. It covers us, covers our sins. And what’s more, this very Blood is what is poured into the chalice, for us to drink, with his holy crucified Body. And so we are freed. For mercy and truth are met together. Sermon for Palmarum.