On Palm Sunday, Jesus triumphantly enters Jerusalem. By the end of the week, he will be betrayed and crucified. Fr. Danny Gustafson, SJ, reflects on the many contrasts of Holy Week and the beauty to be found. Based on the readings for Sunday, April 10, 2022.
From triumph to betrayal, Holy Week is all about contrasts.
Hi, I’m Fr. Danny Gustafson, and this is my One-Minute Homily.
Today Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a colt. On Friday he will carry a cross through its streets. Today the crowd throws their cloaks on the ground for Jesus. On Friday, they will throw only insults. Today the people acclaim Jesus as a king. On Friday, they will shout “Crucify him.”
It isn’t just the anonymous people in the crowd who turn on Jesus. Even the disciples go from joining him in this triumphant procession into Jerusalem to arguing among themselves at the Last Supper, and, in Peter’s case, denying that he even knew Jesus. This sudden shift is jarring.
In the midst of this heavy situation, there’s still Good News. The Good News is that Jesus experienced the whole range of emotions that we feel. Triumph, hope, doubt, rejection, even betrayal. Through this experience, Jesus brought himself closer to us. May we stay close to him as we journey through Holy Week.
