Easter (year B)- John 20:1-8

 Easter, the Feast of the Resurrection is the greatest Christian celebration,. Indeed, in some ways, we celebrate it every week. The Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is the overwhelming expression of divine power and grace in all human history. Sermons, hymns, and liturgies are important and appropriate responses, and yet they only scratch the surface. So for me, the reading of a resurrection Gospel and basic prayers of thanksgiving make the point as well as the largest and most elaborate theatrical liturgies. 

We see the significance of Easter in today's Gospel from John 20. Reactions to the empty tomb include fear and amazement, but the most important reaction is belief or faith. The Resurrection of Jesus transforms the cross and the tomb of Christ. It gives new meaning to Jesus' whole life and to our lives. God's grace has overcome sin and death, and we are offered new life through Jesus Christ!

The Lord is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

Two Aspects of Palm Sunday (year B)- John 12:12-19; Mark 14:1―15:47

Often Palm Sunday is a beautiful observance. There may be palm branches ( or some local substitute). A Gospel about Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem may be read (this year from John 12:12-19), and there are probably some rousing hymns or songs of praise. Christians of all sorts like to praise Jesus, and even many "nice" unbelievers don't mind joining in if it is a pretty spring morning.

Yet, in truth, sometimes we don't stop to consider the deeper meanings of the commemoration. Jesus comes as a peaceful and humble King to claim His throne, and the crowd seems to acknowledge His kingship. They use Messianic titles and shout "Hosanna" which means "save now." However, there is another aspect of Palm Sunday. On that day in the first century, people had some contradictory views about what it meant to be saved and about what Christ was doing.  Many in the crowd were looking for political salvation from Roman oppression, and they hoped that Palm Sunday signaled the start of the great Jewish Revolt under the leadership of Jesus the Messiah.

Those people misunderstood. They had not grasped the spiritual and moral implications of the salvation that Jesus proclaimed. They did not see that His entry into Jerusalem was a moment for repentance and conversion, a time to choose a higher way. Palm Sunday was also Passion Sunday, and it was a time of humility, suffering, and sacrifice. It was not a time for a great military or political victory, but a time for victory over sin and death through the cross and resurrection. And because of their misunderstanding and impatience, many members of that crowd were likely among another crowd that would soon shout "crucify him" (Mark 15:13-14).

For us then, Palm Sunday is both an exhortation and a warning.  Even though we may have heard the message of Jesus many times, we still have incomplete understandings of His work. We tend to focus on great displays and worldly blessings just as the Jerusalem crowds did. And we prefer deliverance without the cross. So we need a renewed focus on the spiritual dimensions of Palm Sunday and Holy Week. We need to understand the spiritual character of salvation that Jesus offers. We need to be patient and see how Jesus chooses to bring our salvation. Jesus is the deliverer who comes in the name of His heavenly Father rather than in the name of worldly power.

Lent 5 (year B)- Christ's Sufferings- Hebrews 5:1-10; Mark 10:32-45

 For the Fifth Sunday in Lent, both the second reading from Hebrews 5:1-10 and the Gospel from Mark 10:(32-34) 35-45 refer to the sufferings of Christ. They foreshadow the upcoming readings for Palm Sunday and Holy Week. Hebrews 5 speaks of Christ as both high priest and divine Son. Despite His divine majesty, Jesus humbly obeyed and suffered. In this way, He acted as the eternal high priest who is the source of salvation. 

In Mark 10: 32-34, Jesus makes a third prediction to the disciples about His suffering, death, and resurrection at Jerusalem. Of course, as on many occasions in the Gospels, the disciples do not really understand or accept Jesus' teachings. Their misunderstanding is illustrated in a stark way in Mark 10: 35-45. The brothers James and John want Jesus to grant them special places of honor and power in His kingdom. Even at this late stage of Christ's ministry, they ignore the predictions of the cross and look for worldly success. The other disciples are no better. They resent James and John for trying to get a better situation, but they do not really get the point about Jesus or the implications of following Him. So our Lord emphasizes the nature of His leadership. He has come to serve and to suffer and die for human sin. Those who wish to follow Him must also be ready to serve and to suffer for the Gospel.