聖枝主日
Fr. Fernando Cortz
聖枝主日帶領我們經歷人類在生、死、罪和救贖方面的許多情感和反應。在整個經歷中，主耶穌帶領我們忍受痛苦，向死亡屈服，並希望在死亡的隱秘下，進入天堂的光榮未來。
這是關於主耶穌最舊、最重要的故事。人們認識主耶穌不是由於他的出生、所做的事情或奇蹟。這個故事是關於背叛、遺棄、痛苦和含冤死亡。這亦是門徒們的信仰懺悔。有個人和集體的罪，但也有救贖，就像主耶穌被帶去釘死，死在十字架上一樣！信仰需要不可能的信任！
聖枝主日後不久，人們就拋棄了主耶穌。他曾經被稱為國王和默西亞，現在卻遭到暴民的攻擊，他們高喊：「把他釘在十字架上，把他釘在十字架上！」那些與他最親近的人，因為擔心自己的生命安全而逃跑。一個無名字的年輕人……赤裸裸地逃脫了。他是誰？猶達斯? 到絕望，失去了希望，自殺。其他人躲起來。只有少數婦女、主耶穌心愛的門徒若望和一些長者勇敢地站在主耶穌身邊直到最後。我們是否好像這些人一樣！
伯多祿對主耶穌被捕感到好奇。伯多祿為什麼要冒被捕這麼大的風險？他的愚蠢和恐懼導致自己否認認識主耶穌。令到他流出辛酸的淚水。我們是否像伯多祿？
有一線光明和希望。主耶穌的受難和死亡激勵一位異教徒羅馬人、那位百夫長軍官談論主耶穌：「這個人真是天主的聖子！」百夫長的懺悔並承認主耶穌：主耶穌是天主派來的，祭獻給天主，榮耀地死亡和復活。
達味王曾經寫道：「在我一生歲月裏，幸福與慈愛常隨不離…」阿黎瑪特雅人若瑟對主耶穌非常友善。他勇敢地認領主耶穌的遺體。他埋葬主耶穌的遺體在一座新墳墓，使主耶稣免受強盜和野生動物的侵害。有一群目擊者，就是主耶穌家人的婦女們和朋友敢於跟隨，從遠處觀望，記住了這個墓地，然後就去為主耶穌的遺體準備好：沒藥、香料、香油，或者還有金幣來遮蓋他的眼睛……我們不也這樣做嗎？為了我們所愛之人的聲譽？愛能幫助一些人把最好的獻給主耶穌！難道我們在活著的時候，就不能為彼此做同樣的事嗎？
Palm Sunday (B), Cantonese Mass – 3pm
St. Leander (03 24 2024)
Fr. Fernando Cortz
Palm Sunday takes us through many emotions and reactions of the human condition regarding life, death, sin and the hope of redemption. Through the entire experience Jesus leads the way enduring suffering, surrendering to death and a hope for a glorious future beyond the veil of death in paradise.
This is the oldest and most important story about Jesus. This is how people were introduced to Jesus. It was not his birth or ministry or miracles. It is a story of betrayal, abandonment, suffering and a scandalous death. It is the confession of faith from the Apostles. There is personal and collective sin, but also redemption, even as Jesus is lead away to death, death on a cross! Faith requires impossible trust!‘
Not long after Palm Sunday the people abandon Jesus. Once claimed as king and Messiah, now a mob turns on him and cries out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Those closest to him run away in fear for their own lives. A young man without name, escapes… naked. Who is he? Judas despairs, loses hope, kills himself. Others hide. Only a few women, John the beloved disciple, and a few harmless old men will be brave and stand by Jesus to the end. Are we like any of these people!
Peter is curious about the arrest of Jesus. Why does he take such a risk? His foolishness and fear lead Peter to deny knowing Jesus. There are bitter tears away from the crowd. Are we like Peter?
There is a glimmer of light and hope. The passion and death of Jesus inspire a pagan Roman, a centurion officer, to say about Jesus, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” Can I share the confession of the Centurion and recognize Jesus: Jesus as sent from God, sacrificed by God, to die and rise in glory through his Resurrection?
King David once wrote, “Only goodness and kindness follow me, all the days of my life…” Joseph of Arimathea was good and kind to Jesus. He courageously claimed the body of Jesus. He provided a place for burial, safety from lawless robbers and wild animals. There were witnesses. The women of Jesus’ family and friends dared to follow, remembered the place and then went away to prepare good things for the body of Jesus: incense powders, perfumes, oil, perhaps gold coins to cover his eyes… Do we not do the same for the honor of our loved ones? Love helped a few to offer Jesus only the best! Might we not do the same for each other while we live?
