Readings (Year C):
Luke 19:28 – 40
Isaiah 50:4 – 7
Psalm 22:8 – 9, 17 – 18, 19 – 20, 23 – 24
Philippians 2:6 – 11
Luke 22:14 – 23:56
Reflection: Whom does Jesus want me to serve?
God’s ways are not always what we expect them to be. God chose for Jesus to make his triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey—symbolizing peace and humility—rather than as a warrior king.
We may sometimes find ourselves struggling with understanding God’s logic—how the outward appearance is not as important as what is in the heart. As Bishop Daniel said in one of his homilies: the Lord is not impressed by appearances but by the quality of the gift of the heart.
As I reflect on the readings for Palm Sunday, I am struck by how joy and sorrow are both part of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem—by the excitement of the crowd and at the same time the anticipation of what is to come on Good Friday, a time of redemption. Many of us may also celebrate faith in one moment yet struggle with doubt in the next.
Recently, a young eight-months-pregnant mother, with a three-year-old son, arrived at our center in McAllen, Texas. She had no place to stay and was all alone, completely at the mercy of anyone who could help her. In times like this, our faith might be the only thing we have. But at the same time, we may doubt and fail to see God’s presence in our lives, in these most difficult times.
If we find ourselves straggling with dealing with what is happening in our lives today, it may be helpful to reflect on how we can accompany Jesus this Lent and consider embracing our faith with joy and with hope. And at the same time, we are reminded, in today’s readings, that Jesus is among us as one who serves. We can be attentive like Jesus and respond to the needs of those around us who have no one else to help them—like the young pregnant mother with her three-year-old son who needed a place to say. We should ask ourselves: Whom does Jesus want me to serve?
As we enter Holy Week, let us remember to deepen our faith, and to prepare our hearts for the love, sacrifice, and resurrection that lie ahead.
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