{"id":5628,"date":"2019-04-12T22:34:16","date_gmt":"2019-04-12T21:34:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/?p=5628"},"modified":"2019-04-12T22:34:20","modified_gmt":"2019-04-12T21:34:20","slug":"commentary-on-the-palm-sunday-14-04-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/commentary-on-the-palm-sunday-14-04-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"Commentary on the Palm Sunday, 14.04.2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

THE PASSION ACCORDING TO LUKE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each week you receive TEA \u2014 Text, \nExplanation and Application. This week the text alone would extend over \nfive pages and the explanation would be much more. So I decided not to \nsend \u201cTEA\u201d as such but a way of reading and listening to the Passion by \nLuke. This is what I did last year also when I gave a commentary on \nMark\u2019s way of stressing the Passion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each of the four evangelists has his own\n distinctive way of presenting the Passion Narrative, and, indeed, other\n narratives as well. This is normal in everyday communication; we all \nadd our own characteristic and personal insights. The beauty of this is \nthat we get a much fuller understanding of the text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jesus<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Obviously Jesus is central to the \nPassion, Death and Burial scenes. He is presented as an innocent martyr,\n the suffering servant of Isaiah who is filled with compassion. We will \nlook at these. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Innocent martyr<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The chief priests and multitudes of the people brought Jesus to Pilate who asked him a question or two and then said \u201cI find no crime in this man<\/em>\u201d\n (Lk. 23: 4). The chief priests argued and mentioned that Jesus had \npreached in Galilee. Pilate used this as an excuse to send Jesus to \nHerod who was in Jerusalem. Herod and his soldiers mocked Jesus who \nwould not speak to them and sent him back to Pilate as innocent (Lk. 23:\n 8\u201312). Pilate declared so (Lk. 23: 15). Pilate immediately declared a \nsecond time that Jesus was innocent but, to placate the crowd he had \nJesus scourged. This did not satisfy the crowd and Pilate offered Jesus \nor Barabbas and the crowd chose Barabbas. So a third time Pilate \ndeclared Jesus to be innocent and again promised to chastise him. The \ncrowd got angrier and Pilate gave way to their demands for a \ncrucifixion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the criminals, the \u201cgood thief\u201d, \nalso declared Jesus innocent. When his companion in crime mocked Jesus \nthe \u201cgood thief\u201d said, \u201cDo you not fear God, since you are under the\n same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we are \nreceiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing \nwrong.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the crucifixion, a Gentile (pagan) centurion, probably in charge of the proceedings, declared, \u201cCertainly this man was innocent!\u201d (Lk. 23: 48).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now many in the mob who had asked for Jesus\u2019 death realised what had happened and \u201creturned home beating their breasts<\/em>\u201d They realised their participation in such a heinous crime (Lk. 23: 48).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luke has seven witnesses (Pilate three \ntimes, Herod once, the Good Thief and the Centurion, once each and the \ncrowd) testify that Jesus was an innocent martyr.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suffering Servant<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That Jesus suffered is obvious and needs\n no commentary. There is an aspect of his suffering that should be \nequally obvious: Jesus presents himself as \u201cI am among you as one who serves<\/em>\u201d\n (Lk. 22: 27). His service of us is one of humble and practical love. To\n bring out Jesus\u2019 service of love, Luke emphasises Jesus compassion to \nso many people, some perhaps surprising for a dying and tortured man. It\n was Jesus\u2019 love for each one of us that brought him to give his life, \nto suffer and to die. His love for us was primary; his suffering a sign \nand proof of his love. St. Thomas Aquinas, the great theologian, stated \nthat compassion is the highest form of love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Filled with Compassion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is insightful to study Jesus\u2019 \nreaction to each and all the abuses levelled against him and the ways in\n which so many friends and disciples were unfaithful. We will look at \nsome of these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peter<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can begin with Peter. At the Last \nSupper he insisted that no matter who would abandon Jesus, it certainly \nwould not be him; he would die rather than deny Jesus. A very short time\n afterwards, before the following morning, three times he denied he knew\n anything about Jesus. Jesus must have been close and may have heard the\n whole conversation between Peter and his accusers. When the cock crowed\n \u201cthe Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word\n of the Lord, how he had said to him, \u201cBefore the cock crows today, you \nwill deny me three times.\u201d And he went out and wept bitterly<\/em> (Lk. 22: 61\u201362). What Luke adds here that is special to hum is that the Lord \u201clooked at Peter<\/em>\u201d.\n It was a special look \u2014 not a look of anger or contempt or \u201cI told you \nso!\u201d It had to be a look of love and compassion. That \u201clook\u201d touched \nPeter\u2019s heart and he \u201cwent out and wept bitterly<\/em>\u201d. Peter was \nnot condemned for helping to condemn Jesus. Jesus showed him love and no\n doubt Peter recalled a promise made at the Last Supper, \u201cSimon, \nSimon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like \nwheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when \nyou have turned again, strengthen your brethren.\u201d <\/em>(Lk. 22: 31\u201332).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was it that made Peter go out and \nweep bitterly? Obviously it was the look of mercy and compassion that \nJesus had for him. He realised his brashness and the sin it led to. He \nrealised how in that look Jesus forgave him. Perhaps for the first time \nin his life he realised how Jesus really loved him in spite of all his \nsinfulness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Judas<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luke opens chapter 22 with Judas going \nto the chief priests and offering to betray Jesus when the multitude of \nthe Jewish people would not be present to defend him. Next we meet Judas\n at the Last Supper. Jesus invited him. He pointed out that someone was \nabout to betray him. He gave Judas the knowledge that he knew he was \nbeing betrayed. He did not try to stop him. He did not ask the other \napostles to tie him up or get rid of him or anything like that. He \ntreated Judas with dignity and respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We next meet Judas in the Garden when he\n comes with the chief priests and Temple guard. This is the only time in\n Luke\u2019s Gospel that Jesus calls Judas by name. Luke has Jesus prevent \nJudas from kissing him. This is an act of sensitivity, that the betrayal\n should come about by a hypocritical act of mutual love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the middle of the arrest scene there is an act of Jesus\u2019 compassion that cannot be overlooked. \u201cAnd\n one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right \near. But Jesus said, \u201cNo more of this!\u201d And he touched his ear and \nhealed him.<\/em> (Lk. 22: 50\u201351). Jesus had preached \u201clove your \nenemies\u201d. Here is a perfect example of that being fulfilled by him in \nhis moment of arrest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Women of Jerusalem<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe women of Jerusalem<\/em>\u201d were a number of women who frequently attended executions by crucifixion to \u201cbewail and lament<\/em>\u201d\n the victim. It is unlikely that they knew Jesus and he gave no \nindication that he knew them. However, he did react to their concern and\n compassion by extending his compassion to them, \u201cDaughters of \nJerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your \nchildren. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, \u2018Blessed \nare the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that \nnever gave suck!\u2019 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, \u2018Fall on\n us\u2019; and to the hills, \u2018Cover us.\u2019 For if they do this when the wood is\n green, what will happen when it is dry?<\/em>\u201d (Lk. 23: 27\u201331).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He forewarned them about the upcoming \ndestruction of Jerusalem and then advised them how they were to prepare \nfor that event. He showed more concern for them than for himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Good Thief<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The whole purpose of Christ\u2019s passion \nand death was the salvation of souls. On the cross he met compassion \nfrom a most unlikely source \u2014 one of those being executed with him. He \ncould not meet love and compassion without outdoing it with his own \nsuper\u2013generous love and compassion. The Good Thief admitted his sin and \nasked Jesus not to forgive but to \u201cremember<\/em>\u201d him. He was humble\n in his request; he asked for a remembrance and he was given heaven! \nJesus opened the gates and the Good Thief was the first to enter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jesus\u2019 Crucifiers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An important teaching of Jesus \nthroughout his public ministry was the forgiveness of enemies. He \ndemonstrated that in his own person as he was crucified. He did not call\n anyone an enemy nor did he regard anyone as such. As he saw the \nsoldiers and the crowd vilifying him he was not angry nor did he damn \nthem in hell. He prayed to his Father for them, \u201cFather, forgive them; for they know not what they do.\u201d<\/em> (Lk. 23: 34).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon of Cyrene<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have deliberately left Simon of Cyrene\n to this last posting in this section on the compassion of Jesus. He was\n returning to the city from his work in the country when the soldiers \nseized him and made him carry the Cross of Jesus behind him. He was \n\u201cminding his own business\u201d and not involved in the crucifixion event. He\n may not have been aware who it was that was to be crucified. We are not\n aware if he even knew of Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But he is a model for all of us. No one \noffered to help Jesus carry his Cross; Simon had it thrust upon him. He \nwas not to walk ahead of Jesus, nor side\u2013by\u2013side with him but \u201cto carry it behind Jesus<\/em>\u201d\n (Lk. 23: 26). It was his vocation, his call to follow Jesus. And he \naccepted. From carrying the Cross, showing help to Jesus, he received \nhis faith and that of his children. Simon was well\u2013known to the early \nChristian community and his sons were very involved in the Church. He \nwas rewarded for his kindness to Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes we choose our crosses; sometimes they are thrust upon us. \u201cIf any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me\u201d <\/em>(Lk.9: 23). Once we accept and follow Jesus we too will be amply rewarded in faith, hope and love.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

THE PASSION ACCORDING TO LUKE Introduction Each week you receive TEA \u2014 Text, Explanation and Application. This week the text alone would extend over five pages and the explanation would be much more. So I decided not to send \u201cTEA\u201d as such but a way of reading and listening to the Passion by Luke. This<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3448,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5628","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-commentary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5628","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5628"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5628\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5629,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5628\/revisions\/5629"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3448"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5628"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5628"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5628"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}