On this Palm Sunday, for the opening of today’s mass, we celebrated Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Mark 11:1- 10). Just a bit later in the mass we listened to Mark’s 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 expectation that he had for those He encountered.
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, and through our sin crucify him all over again.
But our “saving grace” is God’s infinite mercy and forgiveness.
Just think about what we hear in the passion narratives of Matthew (Matthew 26:14-27:66) and Luke (Luke 22:14- 23:56) –
As Jesus is being arrested, he stops to heal one of the temple guards who was injured while taking Jesus into custody. As Jesus was being mocked and beaten, he forgave Peter for denying him. As he stood before the crowds in shackles, he became the substitute for Barabbas, sparing this hardened criminal death. As Jesus carried his cross he provided Simon with a most grace-filled opportunity to assist him. As nails were being driven into his hands and feet, he begged his Father to forgive his torturers. And finally, as Jesus hung on the cross he comforted the criminal hanging beside him, offering forgiveness and assuring the criminal a place in “paradise”.
Even in his agony, Jesus chose to reach out with love, mercy, and forgiveness. Anyone he encountered on that final journey to the cross was a recipient of his mercy and forgiveness. He 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, repent, or have a change of heart. His forgiveness was unconditional. He withheld nothing. He offered mercy and forgiveness to all.
We have a loving and merciful God. God’s love and mercy for us knows no bounds. There is nothing we could ever do that would make Him love us any less. There is nothing we could ever do that is unforgivable. God withholds nothing.
This is what we celebrate this week – Jesus, God incarnate, our Savior – giving his all for us.
“Even in his agony, Jesus chose to reach out with love, mercy, and forgiveness.” Very humbling, indeed.