Yesterday we celebrated Palm Sunday which commemorates the
triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem just before his most cruel and agonizing
torture and death of the cross. On Palm Sunday the people gave him a rousing
welcome like a king, waving palms and shouting “Hosanna”, but days later those
very people turned against him and turned him over to the Romans to be killed
in the cruelest way – crucifixion
This action of Jesus, to me illustrates 2 important things
in life even today and I am sure you will feel the same way as you go through life.
The first lesson is about what we should do and the second is about what we shouldn’t.
1. Courage to do the
right. Jesus knew well he was going to be betrayed and put to death. He knew
that the death will be most agonizing and painful but he still went ahead to go
through without any anger or hate for the people who betrayed him or the
powerful forces that crucified him.
In our own life, in the family, in the place of work, in the
church and in our country, we too are faced with such challenges, may be not to
that extent. We are often called to stand up for truth and justice. Do we have
the courage to do so? When we do the right thing we are criticized and
condemned and even isolated. Do we have the courage to stand up and continue
doing the right?
2. Selfish in
protecting our selves. The Jews knew that Jesus was right and speaking the
truth which hurt and angered those in power, as truth always does. In order to
save themselves they quickly ‘sacrificed’ Jesus and stood idle watching him
being tortured and crucified right in front of their eyes. They even denied
knowing him altogether .Even Peter, the closest to Jesus denied knowing him.
This type of selfish behavior is commonly seen in our lives.
The good always seem to be victimized and the majority cunningly escape and
standby watching the good being punished. But Jesus showed and demonstrated to
us that the good will always come out victorious in the end.
Let us reflect on this historical fact demonstrated by Jesus
on Pam Sunday. It is not just about waving palms and shouting “Hosanna” but is all about trying to emulate what Jesus was
trying to teach us by his joyous entry into Jerusalem riding a donkey over
2,000 years ago. It is about having courage to do the right and not selfishly
standing idle and watch the good being sacrificed on our behalf.
In our country we are now being faced with that courage to take the risk to bring change for good or being selfish and stand idle watching others who fight for us and face the consequences all by themselves.Yes, I am referring to the 13GE,the most crucial in our country.Do we have the courage to say no to corruption,power abuse and racism and yes to CHANGE?
In our country we are now being faced with that courage to take the risk to bring change for good or being selfish and stand idle watching others who fight for us and face the consequences all by themselves.Yes, I am referring to the 13GE,the most crucial in our country.Do we have the courage to say no to corruption,power abuse and racism and yes to CHANGE?
Have a blessed Holy Week
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