"Who am I and where am I in the passion play?": Bishop Paul on Palm Sunday

5 April, Abu Dhabi

Here is the full text of the homily delivered by Bishop Paul Hinder on Palm Sunday.

Many people are listening to the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ like to a radio drama or to one of the many passion-plays around the world, like the famous one of Oberammergau in Germany. People are deeply touched by the scenes, and often moved to tears by compassion with the suffering Jesus. However, they remain spectators and are not really involved in the terrible pain, Jesus is going through.
 
Starting the Holy Week, we have to ask ourselves, if we remain spectators or if we have the courage to be really engaged in the way of Jesus. In other words: Where is my place in the passion-story? Who am I in front of the Lord? Remember the disciples who were shocked when Jesus spoke about one in their midst who was to betray him. Not only Judas but also the other disciples were asking “not I, Lord, surely?” None of them could be absolutely sure about his role in the passion-play – even the possibility to betray Jesus. The same is true for us.
 
I invite each one of us to ask ourselves: Who am I looking like in the passion-story of Jesus? Am I Judas who has betrayed him? Am I Peter who denied knowing Jesus? Am I a disciple sleeping in Gethsemane while Jesus is struggling with the will of his heavenly Father? Am I one of the disciples running away for fear of being arrested with Jesus? Am I Pilate, the High Priest or Herod who is convicting Jesus for what he taught? Am I simply one among the anonymous crowd, shouting with the mass “crucify him!”? Or: Have I the courage to admit my weakness and sin as Peter did when he heard the cock crow? Am I ready to stand at the foot of the cross like Mary? Do I profess with the centurion, “this man was the Son of God”?
 
The French Philosopher Pascal said: “ Jesus will be in agony until the end of the world, we must not sleep during that time .” Opening our eyes and our hearts we know that the passion of Jesus continues in so many who are persecuted, tortured, betrayed, ridiculed, enslaved, discriminated. He continues to suffer in those who are sick, abandoned, abused. Who am I and where am I in the passion-play that continues daily in this world? Am I on the side of the suffering and carrying with them the cross like Simon of Cyrene although sometimes grumbling? Am I defending the innocent and helpless as Nikodemus did although without success? Am I at least weeping about my cowardness like Peter when I realize that I did not take the side of Jesus in those who are his brothers and sisters?
 
Dear friends in Christ, during the Covid-19 pandemic we have time to reflect and to look into our hearts. Let us pray during this Holy Week, that Jesus may open our eyes and give us the strength to take his side now and after getting out of the pandemic. The risen Lord wants us to be his witnesses and tell the Good News: Jesus, the crucified, is alive – he is the risen Lord.