Palm Sunday
Isa 50:4-7
Phi 2:6-11
Mt 26:14-27:66
“My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass me by. Nevertheless, let it be as you, not I, would have it.”
On Palm Sunday, we are given palm branches that are to be blessed and brought home. These palm branches are a physical sign to us that Holy Week has begun, re-creating the actions of the people who waved their palm branches triumphantly when Jesus entered Jerusalem. Hence, like the early Christians, we celebrate the entry of Jesus as our King and Saviour — not just into Jerusalem, but into our homes and hearts. Yet, even as we celebrate this triumphant moment, the Gospel readings redirect our eyes to the task that our Saviour has on hand, which is His Passion on the cross.
The readings bring a sombre tone to our celebrations, as if to remind us that the true triumph comes not just with recognising Jesus as our King and Saviour, but in accompanying Him to the cross. Each time I encounter this part of the bible, I am drawn to that scene at the garden of Gethsemane. I too have spent many hours in the garden, praying for God to take my cup of suffering away from me, but at the same time recognising that it is His will that must be done and not mine. I am sure everyone has experienced that same desperation — praying and begging God to take away our physical and spiritual discomfort. Sometimes, the suffering is indeed averted. In many other times, we find ourselves engulfed in grief and pain all the same.
Yet, like Jesus, we need to accept that suffering is very much part of the equation for our own salvation. God does not let us suffer for no reason. For the Christian, triumph over sin comes through patient acceptance of pain and suffering. I remember going to a priest for spiritual direction when I was first diagnosed with a serious illness. I was understandably upset and shaken by the diagnosis. The priest directed my gaze towards the crucifix and asked me, “Doesn’t God love His son in a rather strange way?”. With that question, I understood completely what he was trying to tell me. God loves us not by sparing us from pain and suffering, but by accompanying us as we suffer, and allowing us to find meaning amid suffering.
In the same way, we need to accompany our Lord during His time of suffering during this Holy Week. I often pray over these passages from the Gospel, frequently dwelling on that scene from the garden of Gethsemane. In these meditations, I reach out in my mind to Jesus, and ask to align my suffering to His. In doing so, I welcome Jesus into my own time of suffering. The presence of our Lord then becomes a salve to my physical, emotion and spiritual wounds.
Perhaps this is what Palm Sunday is all about — to welcome our Lord into our lives but, at the same time, to be prepared to accompany Him on that dreaded journey to Calvary.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Jacob Woo)
Prayer: In this Holy Week, let us welcome our Lord into the spiritual Jerusalem that is our homes, families and hearts. Let Him guide and shepherd us through all our difficult times.
Thanksgiving: Lord, we thank You for allowing us to participate in Your Passion and Resurrection, for allowing us to truly see Your love for us.
OXYGEN 
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