April 14, 2019
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
In the Saturday Buffalo Morning News in the “Refresh” supplement there is an article: “The Art of Dying Well.” It is the title of a book written by Kathy Butler. We resist talking about dying. Over 75% of patients who show up in emergency rooms with a serious illness have no guidelines in place about how their care should be administered. Kathy Butler also wrote: “Knocking on Heaven’s Door.”
On this Palm Sunday we proclaim the Passion According to St. Luke. Each evangelist gives a portrait of Jesus during the last days and hours of his life. St. Luke shows Jesus dying the way he lived. There are special remembrances found only in the Lucan Passion Narrative. I’ll just note some. When the apostles suggest drawing swords to defend Jesus, Jesus responds: “Enough of that.” An angel comes to strengthen Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane before his great testing/trial. Jesus stops to heal the severed right ear of the servant of the High Priest. In the courtyard while Peter is denying knowing Jesus, Jesus turns and looks at Peter. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry his cross. Jesus comforts and cautions the “daughters of Jerusalem.” Jesus speaks at his crucifixion: “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Jesus hears the confession of a criminal and promises him “Paradise.” Finally, Jesus says: “Father, into your hands I place my spirit.”
Ironically, while we are reluctant to talk about death and dying, the Gospels say a great deal about Jesus’ precious last hours. “The drama of passion, which we contemplate throughout this Holy Week of our redemption, celebrates that life which in all its details serves a transcendent purpose in the plan of God – all powerful yet in need of us. In the course of this week, we can know ourselves better, to hear the sad and joyful cries and contrary songs of our own heart, to accompany with faith and love the one who died for our sins, by whose blood we have been washed.” Konrad Schaeffer, Workbook for Lectors, Gospel Readers and Proclaimers of the Word, p. 122.
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