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HOMILIES ARCHIVE
HOMILIES
Dear Audience,For better understanding of the spiritual message behind this homily I kindly remind you to first read and contemplate the biblical texts before reading or listening to my preaching - a human reflection on the Word of God!
Passion Sunday (Year C)
4416
10
4Gospel Reading
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke (19:28-40)
Jesus proceeded on his journey to Jerusalem. As he drew near Bethphage and Bethany at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples. He said, "Go into the village opposite you, and as you enter it you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. And if anyone should ask you, "Why are you untying it?" you will answer, "The Master has need of it.""
So those who had been sent went off and found everything just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying this colt?" They answered, "The Master has need of it." So they brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks over the colt, and helped Jesus to mount. As he rode along, the people were spreading their cloaks on the road; and now, as he was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of his disciples began to praise God aloud with joy for all the mighty deeds they had seen. They proclaimed: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest." Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." He said in reply, "I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!"
(P) The word of the Lord.(R) Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
First Reading
A reading from the Book of Isaiah (50:4-7)
The Lord God has given men a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. The Lord God is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.
(P) The word of the Lord.(R) Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms of David (22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24)
(R) My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
All who see me scoff at me; they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads: "He relied on the Lord; let him deliver him, let him rescue him, if he loves him." (R)
Indeed, many dogs surround me, a pack of evildoers closes in upon me; they have pierced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones. (R)
They divide my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots. But you, O Lord, be not far from me; O my help, hasten to aid me. (R)
I will proclaim your name to my brethren, in the midst of the assembly I will praise you: "You who fear the Lord, praise him; all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to him; revere him, all you descendants of Israel!" (R)
Second Reading
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians (2:6-11)
Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
(P) The word of the Lord.(R) Thanks be to God.
Gospel
Gospel Acclamation
(R) Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name. (R)
The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke (22:14-23, 56)
For the full version of the text see our Good Friday » posting.
Homily
One day a man was returning from the market with his son and a donkey. They had sold all the goods they had taken to the market and now the man was riding the donkey and his son was on foot when a passing man said, "Aren't you ashamed old man that you ride the donkey and your young son walks?" So the man came off the donkey and let his son ride. Soon another man came and said, "Shame, shame, shame… Young man, how dare you ride the donkey when your fragile old father has to walk?" So the old man joined his son on the donkey. No sooner had he done this than he heard someone else scream, "You are so cruel. You are hurting that donkey. Get off it at once." So the man and his son both got off the donkey and started carrying the "poor donkey" on their shoulders. This was uncomfortable for the donkey and as well as themselves. The donkey was kicking and braying when they heard the sound of laughter, "What absolute idiots. You are supposed to ride the donkey not the donkey riding you."
At this the frustrated man got back on the donkey with his son following and muttered under his breath, "No matter what you do, some people will disapprove so you might as well do what you want." When Jesus, the Messiah, chose to ride on a donkey many people might have disapproved of it. And yet Jesus in His humility, wanted to bring about the redemption of mankind.
Today we celebrate Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Most of us are familiar with the story. Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey and people welcomed him by spreading their cloaks on the streets, waving palm leaves, praising God and proclaiming, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest." There are so many things in the story we could talk about. But I invite you to pay attention to someone rather insignificant in the story - the owner or owners of the donkey.
As Jesus was going towards Jerusalem, he sent two of his disciples to a village with specific instructions. He said, "Go into the village opposite you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone should ask you, "Why are you untying it?" you will answer, "The Master has need of it."" So those who had been sent went off and found everything just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying this colt?" They answered, "The Master has need of it." Matthew in his gospel mentions a donkey and a colt whereas Luke and Mark say it was a colt.
Who were the owners of the colt / donkey? They were perhaps a Palestinian family who owned one or many donkeys and used them for transportation and farming. The donkey is the animal that is despised in some places and the word "donkey" or "ass" is often used to mock and ridicule people. But in ancient times, donkeys were valuable assets. These animals were renowned for their strength. So when Jesus wanted a donkey for his journey to Jerusalem, he sent his disciples to a nearby village. Jesus did not tell them to steal the donkey but rather to test someone who was known to him. Perhaps they were his friends or believers.
It looks like Jesus was known to the owners or like many other occasions Jesus knew their belief in him. That's why he specifically mentioned to his disciples where the animal could be found and what they should tell the owners when asked why they were untying the animal. He gave them a sort of "password" or "secret code" - The Master has need of it. There was no further argument or exchange between the owners and the disciples. The owners did not ask them, "Who is the master? Where is he going? How long does he need it? When will they bring it back?" Jesus sought the owners for a lowly animal but it is the most valuable possession in their life and the owners gave it to him willingly and freely. They were happy to have the Lord use their possession for his work.
What lessons can be learned from this? A true follower of Jesus acknowledges with gratitude that everything - one's talents, resources, jobs, families and so on - belong to the Master. The Master has only entrusted these to us so that we might use them when he wants to. A true follower is also happy to give whatever and whenever the Lord asks of him / her.
Our Lord Jesus does not ask us for big things or things we do not have or cannot afford. Often He asks us for small and simple things. Here he asks for a lowly animal for his journey. There are several other examples in the Bible. In the gospel of Luke (21:1-4) there is the story of Jesus praising the poor widow who gave two small copper coins as an offering. In the gospel of John there is the story of the young boy who gave his five barley loaves and two fish so Jesus could feed a huge crowd. What we have may seem insignificant and small in the eyes of the world but when we place these things in Jesus' hands he uses them in great ways. Blessed Mother Teresa once said, "Don't look for big things, just do small things with great love... The smaller the thing, the greater must be our love."
Friends, what is Jesus asking of you during this Holy week which is most definitely a very sacred and holy time of the year? In Matthew (25:40) Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did to me." Jesus could be asking you not only for your time, resources and talents but also compassion and understanding for someone in your family, forgiveness for a friend, kindness and patience for the elderly, care and love for the sick, help and support for people in need, conversion of your life, your silence during liturgical services, reverence for his name and dwelling place, respect for creation and other human beings.
If Jesus who is known to you and in whom you have professed your faith asks you of something, are you happy and willing to give it to him? Or do you make excuses when Jesus makes a demand on you for something that belongs to you? Or do you say, "Yes, I give you everything I have," but then grumble when he really makes a demand on you? As we go about our daily lives, let these questions always resound in our ears.
(P) Amen.God Bless You!
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