Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
(Isaiah 50:4-7; Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 22:14-23:56)
The Passion of Jesus in the Gospel according to Luke stands
out for several reasons. Among others, it has what one biblical scholar calls
“the most beautiful sentence in the Passion Narratives.” It has practical
lessons as well. We can extract from the narrative a way of dying that is peaceful
and perfect. Here we will try to name the elements of a happy death in Saint
Luke’s version of Christ’s Passion.
As he goes to his death, Jesus never stops thinking of
others. The women weeping by the side of the road desire to show solidarity
with Jesus. But knowing that their children will experience injustices similar
to his, Jesus comforts them. “Do not weep for me,” he says, “weep for
yourselves and for your children.” Even more magnanimous, Jesus promises the
criminal who admits his sin a place in eternal life.
We too should desire to die helping others. If we have
possessions, we could leave some to charity. It will also be eminently helpful to
share our affection with our loved ones. Once a dying mother called to her
deathbed each of her nine children one by one. She told each of her love and
hopes for him or her. Of course, we don't have to wait until we have a fatal
diagnosis to tell our loved ones of our affection.
In dying on the cross, Jesus not only rewards those who
respond favorably to him but also blesses his executioners. Without a doubt,
his words, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,"
command our attention. They are both the most beautiful and most quoted of the
Savior's "seven last words."
We must be just as noble when we are about to die.
Forgiveness is what defines God's love. A poet wrote, "To err is human; to
forgive divine." Jesus insists that we will not be forgiven for our sins
if we do not forgive our offenders. If they do not ask for our forgiveness, we
should at least pray for them. We could ask the Lord to move them to
repentance. At the time of our death, we should also confess our sins to a
priest if possible.
Finally, we want to die placing our trust in God. Jesus does
this with the metaphor: "Father, into your hands I commend my
spirit!" He is certain that the care the Father gave him through the angel
on the Mount of Olives, as at every step of his mission, will not dry up at his
death. Quite the contrary, it will raise him to glory.
In our secular age, doubts can crowd our minds like clouds in
the sky on a spring day. Atheists and
materialists are everywhere, challenging those who believe and pray. However,
especially when death approaches, we want to dispel our doubts with an act of
faith. God exists, and he loves us. Let us be clear and firm about this. Then,
we can die in peace.
