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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider From 'hosannas' to 'crucify him'

From 'hosannas' to 'crucify him'

Published Mar 22, 2024 04:10 pm

WORD ALIVE

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“7 Last Words.” The SVD Mission Communications Foundation, Inc. will telecast online over ABS-CBN (Kapamilya channel) the “7 Last Words” on Good Friday, March 29 at 12 noon-3 p.m. Join us at the Divine Word Shrine in Christ the King Seminary, E. Rodriguez Blvd.

We would like to thank our magnanimous donors, sponsors, and advertisers who have made our “7 Last Words” presentation possible. Others who wish to help are still most welcome. E-mail me at [email protected].

 

* * *
In basketball, a player is hailed as a hero when he commits a few errors and makes points during crucial moments. He becomes a "darling of the crowd." 
But the next time, he is treated as a villain when he fumbles, misses some baskets and does not score as expected.

We can say a similar thing about Jesus although he wasn't into basketball. During Christ's public ministry, he cured the sick, fed the hungry, performed miracles for the people.

These material, physical favors aroused the enthusiasm of the crowd to a point that they wanted to make him their king. Thus, when he entered Jerusalem, the premiere city, he was greeted with cheers and jubilant "hosannas." 

But Jesus knew the "royal welcome" would be short-lived. A few days after, the cheers and hosannas were changed to boos and cries of "crucify him, crucify him."

Peter and the other apostles were privileged to be in the company of their master. 

They must have basked in his celebrity status as Jesus entered Jerusalem. But on Good Friday when they saw him being dragged ignominiously from one court to the other, Peter and the other apostles could not bear it anymore. Except for John the evangelist, they fled and went into hiding.
 

* * *
Today we do have a good number of Peters and apostles who are loyal and faithful to God when all is going well. But when adversities or defeat as in elections happen, it could be the end of loyalty. As the truism goes, “Victory has many fathers; defeat is an orphan.”
 

* * *                  
On Palm Sunday, we have palm and coconut branches (palaspas) to be blessed and brought home. Some believe that hanging them at the door jambs will drive away evil spirits or bring good luck.

Those palaspas, however, should remind us that our love and loyalty to Christ and our personal commitments do not wither and fade away, just like the enthusiasm of the fickle-minded crowd on that first Palm Sunday.
 

* * *
Lesson from the donkey. When Jesus made his triumphal entry to Jerusalem, he rode on a lowly donkey. As the Jews waved palm branches and shouted "Hosanna," the donkey thought the crowd's wild adulations were for him. So, he kept nodding his head to the cheering crowd. 

Aren't we much the same at times? When we have talents, titles and positions, pride gets into our head. We think we owe it all to ourselves, totally forgetful of the Giver. 
 

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WORD ALIVE Fr. Bel San Luis
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