April 17, 2011
Palm Sunday
Pope Benedict in his latest book: Jesus of Nazareth, Part II says the Jews as a people are not responsible for the death of Jesus. There were some Jewish religious leaders and some in the crowd who bear a measure of responsibility. Judas realized his complicity and despaired. Pontius Pilate attempted to wash his hand of the blood of an innocent man but he was directly responsible as the Governor of Judea. Only a Roman official, wielding civil and military power, would have the authority to order and to execute crucifixion. At the supper before he died, Jesus said the cup of blessing, the blood of the covenant, would be poured out "for many" for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus died for us. The phrase "the blood upon us and our children" is true whenever/wherever there is an act of violence. When my actions are hateful and violent, I harm my self and others. The violence of one generation harms the next. We are commemorating the 150th anniversary of our own Civil War. Ken Burns, historian and producer of The American Civil War on PBS, says the conflict, violence and blood shed then still affects our society today. If blood shed in violence harms us and our children, it is also true that a word/action of forgiveness becomes a blessing for us and future generations. As we begin Holy Week may we forgo violence and choose the path of peace -- the way of Jesus. With forgiveness we will experience resurrection.
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5th Sunday in Lent
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Easter
