Today, the Holy Catholic Church recalls the entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem to give up his life, that is, to accomplish his paschal mystery. In fact, according to the passion of St Mark,
“Very early in the morning the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law — the entire high council — met to discuss their next step. They bound Jesus, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.” (Mark 15:1)
This is the beginning of Jesus’ trial, which will lead to his condemnation and his death. Jesus is on trial; The Sinless is guilty of condemnation. St. Paul says:
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor 5:21).
Throughout the passion story, Jesus is on trial. But is Jesus on trial alone? The answer is no.
The trial is a process which consists of presenting facts to a judge in order to determine whether the defendant is guilty or not. During the passion, there are ongoing trials with the trial of Jesus: The Trial of the Jewish leaders, the trial of the Roman soldiers and Government officials, the absent disciples of Jesus and the trial of the passersby.
The trial of the Jewish leaders.
Face to face with Jesus, the Jewish leaders are being tried for their hypocrisy, their dishonesty, their jealousy and their envy. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says:
“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.” (John 18:20-21).
Jesus makes it clear that they know the truth, but they simply deny it. When animated by envy, hypocrisy and jealousy, we too, are being tried.
The Roman soldiers and Roman officials
Face to face with Jesus, the Roman soldiers and the officials are also being tried for their insensitivity to souls and for their corruption. The whole of our society seems to be on trial today!
The absent apostles and disciples of Jesus
They are also being tried for denial, for betrayal, for abandoning a friend in need. We too have probably abandoned someone when they needed us the most.
The passersby.
They are being tried for their superficiality, their narrowness of mind; their indifference.
Yes, this trial happened 2000 years ago but it seems like this is an ongoing trial because Jesus is still being tried, mistreated, betrayed, abandoned, ignored; even called a stupid god. How
many continue in our time to think that it a stupidity to be a Christian or to believe in God.
But for us, we continue to believe that the cross is our salvation. True greatness is found in humility and meekness.
Jesus humbled himself and God has highly exalted him (Cf Phil 2: 6-11).
Happy Palm Sunday!
Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC