Sermon on Palm Sunday May 10, 2010
Posted by St. Nicholas of Myra Orthodox Mission in Liturgical Year, Sermons.comments closed
It is quite interesting to notice how human reaction can be changed from praise to condemnation within only a few days. Today we commemorate Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. This was accomplished in the mist of waving palms, a sign of victory no less, and great cheers: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”! What a moment that must have been for all who were present, rejoicing and laughter, the crowds bustling, and the palm branches waving as the Saviour entered into the city.
Christ had already spoken of what was to come; He knew if no one else did, that this was empty show, the hero worship or celebrity worship, which soon turns to criticism or something much more sinister. There has been a theory put forward that Judas Iscariot betrayed Christ because he had wanted a political, a military saviour, and was trying to force Christ’s hand by putting Him in a situation that would lead to destruction if there were no resistance.
Well, be that as it may, Christ came to show us the way to heaven, not the way to more political struggle and bloodshed. “Peace I give to you”, says our Lord, “but not as the world gives”.
Today is a day for me to examine what it is I expect from Christ, but more importantly what I really think is the true way to follow Him. To begin is self–renunciation. This does not mean neglecting to take care of my health or my appearance, Christ even warns us not to make a show of ascetic struggle, but to offer myself to the Lord in secret. As well, I can tell you that it is extremely frustrating for priests to remind the faithful, and themselves for that matter, over and over again, that Christians should give generously for each other and the common good; self-renunciation means putting my opinions, my prejudices, my feelings on the back burner to be able to see clearly what I might do that is really of help to my neighbour. What I myself think is good for my neighbour might be completely erroneous: God alone knows and understands all things, and it is God alone who is able to act without selfish motives.
The Holy Prophets spoke again and again of how Israel departed from the way of righteousness by adopting the pagan practices of their neighbours, forgetting to keep the commandments given by Moses, turning their back on the one truly existing God. Even in the First Book of the Macabees, we find a description of how many in Israel choose to obey the edicts of a gentile king rather than keep to the faith of their fathers.
Over and over again, mankind proves itself to be fickle shallow and ungrateful. If I had been one of those people standing along the road waving a palm to celebrate the arrival of Christ into Jerusalem, would I have been one of those who later called for His death? Would I simply be one who turned my back and walked away, when things went bad? It takes courage to remain faithful, and the rarity of this characteristic is exemplified by the fact that of all the Disciples, only Saint John was present when Christ was put to death. We are not all called to be martyred in the modern sense of the word, but without a doubt we are called to witness Christ to the World, and not turn back when we encounter even harsh rejection. We ought to remember that the Lord never promised us worldly happiness, but He did promise that He would be with us always, even until the end of the world. Let us not be changed by the world, but remain true To Him who is true to us, and suffered on the cross for our salvation. Amen.
