Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
He humbled himself, becoming obedient to death . . . Philippians 2:8
A first grade teacher was telling her students that everyone who comes to church on Palm Sunday gets a real palm branch. One little girl raised her hand excitedly and asked, “Are they free?”
Getting free things appeals to most of us. But today’s readings remind us (rather somberly) that being a follower of Jesus costs us something. It costs us precisely what it cost Jesus, especially during his final days on earth. It required courage under duress, faith amid ambiguity and doubt, forgiveness in response to betrayal and absolute trust in Abba amid darkness and pain.
St. Paul gives us the key to such discipleship when he says in Philippians 2:5 you must have “the same attitude” as Christ had. Attitude: the way we look and feel about things . . . our perception that determines our priorities . . . our point of view that directs our choices and decisions. Today let us ask ourselves to what extent Christ’s attitude is our own.
Jesus, may I see with your eyes, feel with your heart and act as your disciple no matter what the cost today.
Sr. Melannie Svoboda, S.N.D.
Originally published April 1, 2007
