In the midst of the changing seasons, when the world comes alive with the promise of renewal, we gather together to commemorate Palm Sunday. Today, the first day of Holy Week, we turn our hearts and minds to Philippians 2:5-11, unveiling the Passion of our Lord and His boundless compassion for the world.
“In Philippians 2:5-11, Paul writes:
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
In the midst of the jubilation, we stand on the precipice of a profound week—a week that would test the very fiber of Jesus’ being. Challenges awaited him, yet he faced them with unwavering resolve, for it was compassion that fueled his every step.
From the intimate communion of the Last Supper to the anguished cries in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the weight of judgment in the halls of power, Jesus bore the weight of our humanity. Each step, each trial, marked by his unyielding love for us all.
As the cross loomed, a symbol of sacrifice, it was not duty or obligation that led Jesus forward, but an all-encompassing love for humanity. He took upon himself the weight of our transgressions, surrendering himself for our sake.
As we navigate Holy Week, let us reflect on the overwhelming compassion our Lord has extended to us. He relinquished the glory of heaven to embrace the humility of the earth. Whether you are basking in spring’s embrace or facing the chill of autumn, you are never alone. He is with us, and his compassion is a guiding light, leading us through the darkest hours.
This Palm Sunday, let us reflect on the humility and compassion of Christ. Let us release our burdens at the feet of the One who bore the world’s burdens on his shoulders.
As we continue our journey towards the cross, let us remember that the Passion of our Lord signifies his limitless compassion for the world, transcending every boundary and division. In a world longing for hope and healing, may we become vessels of his boundless compassion. Let us be the hands that reach out, the hearts that love, and the feet that follow in his footsteps.
