Fr. Brian Zumbrum’s homilies and reflections are posted weekly at Leaven in the World prior to a given Sunday. To see the archive of all his posts, just click here: Salesian Sermons

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, Year A | April 12/13, 2014

PROTIP: Before reading on, be sure to take a look at the Sunday readings here. 

There is a popular song out on the radio right now by A Great Big World.  It goes something like this:

Say something I’m giving up on you
I’ll be the one if you want me to
Anywhere I would have followed you.
Say something I’m giving up on you

[Note: You can listen to the entire song here.]

I must admit, every time I hear this song, I can’t help but think of another song of lament uttered two thousands years before.

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

It seems, my friends, that Christ’s final temptation remains our own.

The temptation to give up.

To believe that the crosses that we bear are too much.  That we can’t carry them any longer.

Our past regrets

A broken relationship

A terminal illness

A job that is burning us out.

It seems that even the very shape of the cross reminds us of the weight we bear.

For if we extend our arms, we instantly feel the weight.  And with that weight we are tempted to simply give in.  To let our arms drop.  To let the crosses win.

But if we let those arms drop, then we will miss the two simple truths that Christ encountered in his own final surrender.

That it is much easier to be embraced by God when our arms are open.  When our lips are still singing . . . I’ll be the one if you want me to.  Even as our hearts break.  Even as our mind questions and doubts.

And that it is only when are arms are extended that we can easily reach out and grab hold of those outstretched arms of compassion, friendship and love that are extended all around us.  The arms of our brothers and sisters in Christ who walk with us on our own journey to Calvary.

Don’t give up my friends.

Our own resurrection awaits.

May God be Praised.

—

Image courtesy of http://www.cruzblanca.org/hermanoleon/