Palm Sunday (C)

April 14, 2019

Readings:

First Reading: Isaiah 50: 4-7

Psalm: 22

Second Reading: Philippians 2: 6-11

Gospel reading according to Luke 22: 14 – 23: 56 (or Luke 23: 1-49

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Homily

After Jesus was arrested, accused, scourged, lampooned, humiliated and sentenced to death by crucifixion on the Cross, a sentence only fitted to criminals and rebellious, he was brought to Calvary known as Golgotha, the Skull with other two thieves to be crucified with him.   “. . . When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left” (Lk. 22: 33).  Jesus, like a criminal, was crucified between the two thieves, one who hated Jesus and the other loved Jesus.

Different peoples came and followed him in his crucifixion, for different purposes.  “Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, they know not what they do’.” (Lk 22: 34).  But Jesus, even though he was between life and death, between heaven and earth for he was hanging on the Cross (the Tree of Life), was able to pray to his Father for the forgiveness of those peoples present and for the rest of us who do not know what we are doing.  He still had forgiven us despite of our sinfulness. 

While the Roman soldiers made fun of Jesus’ garments.  They cast lots.  “They divided his garments by casting lots” (Lk 22: 34).  Even his garments did not escape the ridicules of those Roman pagans.

Among those present were the ordinary and simple people standing there at a distance and watching only with closed arms (naka-halukipkip).  Maybe they were there to have firsthand information to what will happen about the greatest teacher and master, as well as to catch gossip to chat.  They were not there to give sympathy to Jesus’ predicament. “The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, ‘He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God’.” (Lk 22: 35).  The first temptation of Jesus while he was alone on the cross.  While the rulers, the Sanhedrin – the leaders of the people from the temple, were there, indicating the presence of Satan, the tempter in the desert, who looked for another chance to tempt Jesus when he failed to seduce him in the desert.  This time, the first seducer Satan used was the rulers who were tempting Jesus by scorning, mocking and jeering (sneered) and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.”  They used the word “save,” to save rather his life instead of saving others, as a means of temptation.  They wanted to see if Jesus will be convinced not to continue the will of God the Father by saving his life at their presence, in front of them, where he will get out from his crucifixion. 

The second temptation of Jesus was the soldiers.  This time, the soldiers were the ones used by Satan in tempting Jesus.  Maybe they were the Roman soldiers or Herodian (King Herod) soldiers or the soldiers in the temple who can read what was written on the top of the Cross of Jesus. They also sneered Jesus.  “Even the soldiers jeered at him.  As they approached to offer him wine they called out, ‘If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.’  Above him there was an inscription that read, ‘This is the King of the Jews’.” (Lk 22: 36-38).  The written verdict of Pontius Pilate and put on the head of the Cross were in three languages – Hebrew, Greek, and Roman, so that anybody who knows how to read any of those languages can understand what is the crime committed by the accused.  This was the second temptation used by Satan, the soldiers, calling Jesus, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.”  Again, using the word “save,” to save his self.  

The third and last Temptation of Jesus was one of the criminals crucified with him.  This time, the temptation came from one of the criminals crucified along with him, known as Gestas (Hestas).  “Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, ‘Are you not the Christ?  Save yourself and us’.” (Lk 22: 39).  Since he hated and detested (reviled) Jesus, he tempted also Jesus to “save” his self and them, “Are you not the Christ?  Save yourself and us.”  He had no fear in God, what he wanted was his own interest and freedom.  So Satan used his revilement against Jesus to surrender his plan of fulfilling God’s promise to humankind, to save us from sin and not to save only his self.

The other criminal or thief known by the name Dismas (or Dimas) reproved his companion.   “The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, ‘Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation?  And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal’.” (Lk 22: 40-41).  As compare to Gestas, Dismas has fear of the Lord.  He relented and surrendered to the punishments they received were appropriate with them and he was sorry for what he has done in his life and to the lives of their victims.  He even defended Jesus whom he thought did not deserve that kind of punishment fitted only to the criminals and those who rebelled against the Roman Empire.  The crucifixions as punishment to those rebellious came from the Roman soldiers and not from the Jews who used stones as part of their punishment.

This thief, known as Dismas (Dimas), understood very well also what the kingship of Jesus meant and the Kingdom he was offering. This Kingdom is not the kingdom here on earth but in the next life, beyond our imagining, in God’s Kingdom where the merciful and compassionate, forgiving and loving God reigns. “Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom’.” (Lk 22: 42).  He begged Jesus to remember him when he is already in his Kingdom.

And what Jesus responded to him?  He made him his disciple and the first among many followers in his kingdom, which he called Paradise - Heaven. “He replied to him, ‘Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’. . .” (Lk 22: 43).  Jesus is not only remembering this good thief when he comes to his Kingdom, but he will bring him “today,” right now, in Paradise – in his Kingdom, as his reward for his repentance when he asked for forgiveness and amended his life.