Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
(Isaiah 50:4–7; Philippians 2:6–11; Matthew 26:14–27:66)
It is said that the crucifixion of Jesus is the most
frequently depicted scene in art. It is certainly deeply engraved in the minds
of Christians. Unfortunately, we tend to remember the events of the Passion as
if they all appeared in all four Gospels. But this understanding is not
correct. The events of one Gospel are not necessarily found in the others. For
example, there is no mention of the scourging or the crowning with thorns in
the Gospel of Luke. This fact should not diminish our faith in the Gospel. The
crucifixion was such a profound experience for the apostles that no one version
could fully express its meaning.
Since today we read the Passion according to Saint Matthew,
let us focus on four events that are unique to this Gospel. Our purpose is to
gain a deeper understanding of the death of Jesus from Matthew’s perspective.
When Jesus arrives at Gethsemane, he withdraws to pray
alone. Matthew says that he “fell prostrate (on his face).” He is in anguish.
He feels defenseless before the combined forces of the Jewish leaders and the
Roman Empire. Overwhelmed, he asks his Father that, if possible, this trial be
taken away from him. We see Jesus as truly human, facing a traumatic situation.
At the same time, we have a peek of his divinity in his trust in the Father’s
will.
After the Sanhedrin condemns him to death, Matthew
interrupts the story of Jesus to tell what happens to Judas. Feeling shame for
his betrayal, Judas repents and tries to return his reward money to the chief
priests. Then he goes and hangs himself. Judas is not the only one who regrets
having treated Jesus badly. Simon Peter, who once proclaimed him “the Son of
God,” denies knowing Jesus. He also repents of his sin, but instead of
despairing, he weeps bitterly. All of us offend Jesus in one way or another.
When we become aware of our sin, which disciple do we want to imitate? The one
who despaired or the one who wept?
Matthew recalls Jesus’ Roman trial through two key actions:
Pilate’s wife reporting her dream about Jesus and Pilate’s attempt to wash his
hands of Jesus’ blood. The woman provides another divine testimony to Jesus’
innocence, since in Matthew’s Gospel God often communicates through dreams.
Pilate attempts the impossible: he cannot hand Jesus over to be crucified and
at the same time remain innocent of handing a just man over to death. We should
recognize that we cannot justify a wrong action by performing gestures that
make us appear righteous.
Along with the Gospel of Mark, Matthew portrays Jesus’ death
as a moment of profound abandonment. God allows his Son to experience complete isolation.
Although he continues to trust in God, Jesus dies without immediate relief or
consolation. It is a death that would seem fitting for a ruthless criminal. Yet
Matthew, Mark, and Luke also testify to the positive effects of his death. They
report that the veil of the temple is torn in two, signifying that Christ’s
sacrifice has replaced the temple sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins. They
also report that a pagan centurion recognizes Jesus’ innocence.
However, only Matthew recounts an earthquake that opens the
tombs of the righteous. The shaking is so intense that some of the dead rise.
More than an historical event, this moment connects Jesus’ death with victory
over death. It is Matthew’s way of showing that Jesus’ suffering produces
immediate fruits.
Each Passion narrative is deeply meaningful. None is merely
a report of events. Each offers a unique and profound understanding of the
mystery of the death of the Son of God. This year we have had the opportunity
to contemplate this mystery through Matthew’s Gospel. It is not a pleasant
story, but through his suffering we have been justified.
