Today we begin that most sacred week of Christian history; as we enter Holy Week, we enter, not with a sense of triumphalism, but in a true spirit of humility. In my family home back in Ireland, I am so lucky to have two pet donkeys; in the summer lockdown of 2020, I felt privileged to share their company. Their trust and companionship, helped no doubt by a steady supply of carrots, was a great comfort during troubling times. It was on this simple beast of burden that Jesus, the Messiah entered Jerusalem. Not for him the powerful horse or chariot, rather the simplicity on the donkey, blessed by a cross on its back.

As we prepare to enter yet another Holy Week, we realise the toll of suffering and hurt in our lives. On this Passion Sunday, we can reflect on the birthdays we have missed; the hugs and warm friendships we have had to conduct over social media; the reality of being a vibrant Christian community without physical contact or singing. During the experience of a pandemic, we experienced a much lonelier Lent—we have had to give up so much. Holy Week reveals God's Love that is lavish, limitless, and is shown in the events unfolding before our eyes. His passion is the outcome of His compassion and his whole life is wonderful witness to God's self-emptying Love. "He did not cling to His equality with God but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave." Jesus came to serve, not to be served.

The tradition on Palm Sunday is to read one of the passion accounts—something we do again on Good Friday when we share John's gospel account. Today we begin in Bethany, a favourite resting place for Jesus as he found comfort and support in the home of his friends Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. It is in this small town that Jesus goes to the home of 'Simon the Leper'. This should make us think: if Simon was a leper, surely, he should be living out of town, away from everyone and certainly not inviting people for dinner? Scholars suggest that Simon could have been related to Martha's family, even suggesting that he is their father. For Jesus and the guests to have been invited for dinner, Simon must have been cured, perhaps he was cured by Jesus! As Jesus begins this pilgrimage and his way of the cross, an unnamed woman breaks through the social conventions to anoint Jesus 'with an alabaster jar of costly ointment.' Above the hypocritical cries against such generosity, Jesus shows that we cannot limit God's love—a love that reaches fulfilment as Jesus stretches out his arms fully on the cross just days later.

I pray that you fully enjoy this experience and that you enter fully into this sacred Camino that is Holy Week. Especially through the experiences that we have shared since last Palm Sunday, we have, perhaps, become more sensitive to suffering in our own lives and in the lives of others. Today we are invited, with the woman of Bethany, to exercise compassion; to be less judgemental, and not to plot and bring others down.

As we wave our own palms in church today, perhaps we could reflect and see where we stand on the Way:

The palms wave high, the crowd draws near,

A humble colt carries what they hold dear.

"Save us, Hosanna!" shouts fill the air,

The King has come; salvation is near.

Children dance, their faces glow,

Voices of praise from young and old.

On dusty streets, cloaks are laid,

A royal path for the Saviour made.

The branches green, the sky so blue,

Yet shades of what's to come break through.

The crowd rejoices, yet unaware

Of the sacrifice He soon will bear

Author: Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB

Image: ©Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB