Homily for the Mass on Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion by Rev. Beverly Bingle, RCWP

So we gather this week to remember
the presence of God acting through Jesus of Nazareth.
Today we remember the story
of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem,
told by Matthew to show Jesus
as the fulfillment of the ancient prophecies
for the coming of God's reign on earth.
It's that reign we celebrate today.
It's that reign we continue to seek and to build.
This weekend
we listen to Matthew's account of Jesus' passion and death.
It is significant that, on the other 51 Sundays of the year,
we hear stories of Jesus' life and ministry--
51 to 1--51 on his life and ministry
as opposed to 1 on his suffering and death.
Those 51 other weeks of Gospels
lay out the reasons for Jesus' suffering and death:
he spoke truth to power;
he ministered among and to the poor and downtrodden;
he offended those few Jewish leaders
who cooperated with their foreign oppressors;
he called ordinary people to take part in the kin-dom of God;
he angered and frightened the powerful Roman occupiers.
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Pope Francis, in a homily two weeks ago,
reflected on the situation Jesus found himself in
as a result of his teaching ministry.
The Pope said that Jesus, with simplicity and strength in God,
made trouble for the corrupt leaders with the people.
And step by step, they ended up convincing themselves
that they had to kill Jesus.
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Like Jesus, we are called to life and ministry.
To serve the poor.
To minister among the oppressed.
To speak to the weary a word that will rouse them.
Like Jesus, we are called to stand firm in the face of opposition.
Like Jesus, we will sometimes suffer
for what we believe and what we do.
Even so, let's continue to follow Jesus' Way.
The kin-dom of God is among us.
Let us remember.
Let us rejoice.

--
Holy Spirit Catholic Community
Mass at 2086 Brookdale (Interfaith Chapel):
Saturdays at 4:30 p.m.
Sundays at 9 a.m.
Mass at 3535 Executive Parkway (Unity of Toledo)
Sundays at 5:30 p.m.
www.holyspirittoledo.org

Rev. Bev Bingle, Pastor
419-727-1774