Palm Sunday – Courage to do right

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?  

Have a blessed Holy Week