FROM THE PULPIT PASSION SUNDAY HOLY SCRIPTURE: Luke 19: 28-40; Isaiah 50: 4-7; Philippians 2: 6-11; Luke 22: 14-23: 56. REFLECTION: HONOR AND VALOR. Fr. Benoit Mukamba, CSSp.
Honor and valor (courage in battle) demand overcoming fear and intimidation. Honor and valor are said of a person of great integrity and courage and determination to defend that dignity. Fear is experienced as a way of preserving life and benefits. Fear is the most disabling emotion. Our Lord Jesus knew clearly what awaited him in Jerusalem. He resolutely took his journey to Jerusalem. He decided to call for the colt. He took his ride with acclamation from his disciples. He refuses to heed the concerns and fear of some Pharisees to rebuke his disciples.
He understands and is confident of his Father’s will and gifts. God has given him well-trained tongue, no insult or suffering would weaken his resolve. God is the source of his strength; he will triumph in the end. For the honor of his father, Jesus would not consider his equality with God as a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself by dying for the salvation of humanity. “For our sake He made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him” 2Corinthians 5: 21. With great valor, Jesus confronted suffering and crucifixion. Jesus took ownership of our sin to the Cross so that we might be victorious over sin. With courage for love of you and me, Jesus did not deny his divinity but affirmed it.
Pilate chose to boast his political influence, rather than rendering justice with valor. Some of Jesus' closest collaborators chose to preserve their lives as they abandoned him at the time of his arrest. One of them had already preceded the rest in betraying his teacher and Master Jesus. He who does not pick his cross and follow me is not worthy of me, the Lord had told them earlier. But Jesus remained courageous and determined to honor his Father and his cause, our salvation. Jesus could not allow the failures of his disciples disorient him from the objectives. He prepared the disciples to recover from the tragic experiences of the arrest, unjust trial, sufferings, crucifixion and death. He established a perpetual memorial of the Eucharist; he fed them the sacrifice of the cross in anticipation. He forgave the disciples’ failures and the sins of his persecutors. He assured paradise to the revolutionary/robber who acknowledged his wrongdoings and recognized the innocence and divinity of Jesus.
Jesus set a model for us to follow as Christians; especially during our own time where we live in a world that has become less and less Christian and spiritual. We are called to be people of honor and valor in the midst of a world dominated by sin and adversities. We are invited to honor our election as children of God redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. We are expected to fight daily in upholding our dignity and the glory due to our God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Hence, let us pray for integrity in living our lives in witness and honor to God. Let us take courage in reaching out to our neighbors who are non-believers and those fallen away from the faith.