In the opening of today’s Mass on this Palm Sunday, we commemorate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Mark 11:1-10). Just a short while later during Mass we hear the account of Jesus’ passion and death (Mark 14:1 – 15:47). It is remarkable how things changed so dramatically for Jesus in such a short period of time – how people turned on him when they could not accept the truth of who he said he was, the righteousness by which he lived, and the way of life he offered all people.
It can be the same for us. At one moment we can celebrate and proclaim Jesus as our Lord and Savior, but then in the blink of an eye, in our pride and selfishness, we can turn our back on him. But our saving grace is God’s infinite mercy and forgiveness. Just think about what we hear in the passion narrative of Mark, along with those of Matthew (26:14-27:66), Luke (22:14-23:56) and John (18:1-19:42).
As Jesus is confronted by his betrayer in Gethsemane, rather than condemning him, Jesus greets Judas as “friend”. As Jesus is arrested by the religious leaders, he stops to heal Malchus, the high priest’s servant. As Jesus is being led away by the temple guards, he empathizes with his disciples even as they abandon him. As Jesus is mocked and beaten, he forgives Peter for denying him. As Jesus is questioned by the man who would ultimately condemn him to death, he offers Pontius Pilot one final opportunity to come to know the “truth”. As Jesus stands before the crowd in shackles, he substitutes himself for Barabbas, sparing this hardened criminal certain death. As Jesus carries his cross, he provides Simon with a most grace-filled opportunity to encounter him and share his burden. As nails are being driven into his hands and feet, Jesus begs his Father to forgive his torturers. As Jesus hangs on the cross, he comforts the criminal hanging beside him offering this repentant sinner unconditional forgiveness and assuring him a place in heaven. And just prior to handing over his spirit to his Father, Jesus bequeaths his Mother to his beloved disciple John and to all of us.
Throughout his entire ordeal, Jesus chose to reach out with love, mercy, and forgiveness. All those he encountered on that final journey to the cross were recipients of his mercy and forgiveness. Even as he hung dying on the cross in anguish and agony, Jesus prayed “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do”. He was not waiting for those who were torturing and mocking him to apologize or have a change of heart. His mercy and forgiveness were abundant and unconditional. Jesus withheld nothing.
Indeed, even now, two thousand years later, Jesus withholds nothing. We have a loving and merciful God who extends salvation to all. We are saved in spite of ourselves. We are saved in spite of our fickleness and infidelity. We are saved because of the great love God has for us, a love supremely manifested in Jesus’ sacrifice, a love immeasurable and unconditional. This is what we celebrate throughout this upcoming holy week, and always.