Homily on the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem Matthew 21: 1-11, 15-17 (Matins) and John 12:1-18 (Divine Liturgy).
In today’s Gospels were have recounted two key events in the life of our Lord and Saviour – the first being His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the second being when Saint Mary Magdalena anointed the feet of our Lord and Saviour. What is significant is that both of these events (when juxtaposed together) show us the stark reality our Lord and Saviour knew He was going to face. He knew that whilst the people ecstatically proclaimed, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David - blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord (Matthew 21:9) there was a bitter reality He was going to have to face! He knew that whilst many in the crowd praised Him; many would turn their backs on Him in His hour of need. He also knew that many of the people He had walked amongst and shown the love of the All-Holy Trinity would forget that same great mercy and love He had shown them. Remember, it was prophesied by Saint Isaiah that He Christ was to be the ‘man who was despised and rejected by men (Isaiah 53:3).’ Further to this, He knew that whilst He had taught that it was the duty of a Christian to show love to all – even in times of trial and oppression by those who would do us wrong - many of these same people whom He had shown the unconditional love of the All-Holy Trinity would forget this same love that was shown to them. This being in much the same way the ungrateful servant did not show the same mercy his master had shown to him – especially when his fellow servant called on him to forgive a debt (Matthew 18: 21-35). Moreover, our Lord and Saviour knew that the bitter cup that He was to taste was for these many ‘ungrateful servants’ even if they would never acknowledge His great love for them and thank Him for the opportunity, He would give them to be saved - ultimately leading to their eternal loss! Furthermore, when Saint Mary Magdalen anointed His feet with the costly oil spikenard, it was a clear sign that the time of His crucifixion was at hand – for in those times spikenard was one of the unguents that was used to anoint a person about to be buried. It must have cut Him to the quick to know that His time of suffering was drawing ever closer and that many of the people He desired to save would reject His invitation to the Heavenly Banquet – much like the guests in the parable of the wedding feast (Matthew 22: 1-14).
These days one thing is sure – Christianity has become one of the most hated faiths. To be sure, in many ways this is not totally because of the bad some have done in the Church (either in knowledge or ignorance), but rather like the people in Jerusalem in the first century who would demand Christ Crucified, it is because many people do not base their lives on that which will be for their benefit. Many times, we priests deal with people who are broken; however, many of these people are not broken because they are victims of some oppressor but rather these people are only the victims of their own pride and arrogance. What I mean here is that oftentimes these people have become broken because rather than listening to the voice of Him who seeks the best for them and gives them all they need for their journey - they have listened to the voice of their own pride and arrogance and in so doing mirroring the ancient rebellion of Satan. This world has become a place where people are encouraged to do whatever they like regardless of the consequences – oftentimes leading to people harm themselves and others in the process of doing what they like. It is because of attitudes like this, many people have sought to deny the loving nature of Christ’s ‘letter of love’ which is His Gospel and champion other false so called ‘scriptures’ which are really the work of men with imaginative and devious minds! Christ went through His bitter pain and agony so that, ‘all may have life within them (John 10:10).
Finally, as this most sacred week begins let us not forget our duty to be ‘lights to the world’ and let us not hide that light we have for many are hungry to know the truth that is the All-Holy Trinity’s ‘Gospel of Love (Matthew 5: 14-16).’ Many hunger for the peace that cannot be found in the ways of the world! Remember, be merciful to all and do not anger when some ask questions that may seem to be ignorant or malicious (whether intentional or not) – for many people in this age are not versed in the truth of Christ’s Gospel, and they have only learnt only what the world considers to be fashionable. Oftentimes, they have learnt to parrot back what the world considers to be the height of life that is the ‘gospel of me!’ Meaning that for many all that matters in life is ‘me and what I think is right’ neglecting the reality that there can only be objective right and wrong – morality is not relative or subjective- it is absolute! Let us pray that in this ‘Week of Weeks’ that all may come to the truth of Christ’s Gospel so that they may drink from the font which is Christ and have life within them (John 10:10).
Comments