I have to admit that Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion leaves me feeling betwixt-and-between. In the flow of the Lenten readings it seems like there is the building wave of love and goodness and so filled with the presence of God. On the 2nd Sunday of Lent we shared the story of the Transfiguration

On the 3rd Sunday there was the owner of the orchard that wanted to cut down the fig tree that had not borne fruit in three seasons. But the gardener interceded, asking for time, promising to give special care and attention in hope that the fig tree would bear fruit. Lent is like that special time given to us, letting us know the divine gardener watches over us: the presence of God.

On the 4th Sunday was the story of the Prodigal Son. I love the image of the father always on the lookout for us, praying we would return home from our misadventures. Even before we can explain or apologize, we are embraced, welcomed home, and know we are deeply loved: the presence of God.

Last Sunday, the account of the woman caught in adultery is an image of us at our worst. We have done the unimaginable, but even at that moment when friends and family want to distance themselves from us, we are never abandoned. Even there, at our worst, is divine Mercy with words of hope. He does not condemn us but tells us: “Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”  Again, the presence of God.

It seems like it all builds to a crescendo perfectly capped by the entrance into Jerusalem. Jesus, the Christ, descendant of David, fulfillment of the promises and prophets, the good shepherd Ezekiel promised, the good news foretold by Isaiah, the King of Kings entering the Royal City of Jerusalem.

And then we crash into today’s gospel. A last supper, betrayed by Judas, arrested, denied by Peter, abandoned by all as He is enthroned as “King of the Jews” on the Roman cross.

Why couldn’t we have just read the first gospel about the triumphal entry and then come back next Sunday for Easter and the Resurrection.: “oh…look, it all works out, Jesus wins.” 

If in its way the gospels of Lent were about the presence of God in our lives, and if we skip from the triumphal entry to the triumphs Resurrection, the Holy Week will be our absence from the betrayal of “Spy Wednesday”, the intimacy of the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, passion and death of Good Friday, and that falls between.

Take time to engage with the daily readings for Mass this week. Join us on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Be present to the Messiah who was ever and always present to you.

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Image credit: Entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem (1320) by Pietro Lorenzetti: Basilica de San Francisco, Assisi | PD-US