Homily — Palm Sunday, Year C

Fr. Timothy W. Castor

Each year, on Palm Sunday, we hear one of the three accounts of the Passion from the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. This year, St. Luke’s version was proclaimed. Luke adds several details to his record which the other evangelists do not include. For example, while all of the Gospels mention the two criminals crucified on either side of Jesus, it is only Luke who expands this story:

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

This man acknowledges his own sinfulness and that he is receiving the just punishment for his crimes while at the same time recognizing the innocence of Jesus. His simple act of faith, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom," shows that he alone of everyone present at the cross believes and takes literally the inscription which was placed in mockery over our Lord’s head: "This is the king of the Jews." It’s an amazing act of faith because our Lord certainly does not appear very regal at this point in time. Yet, instead of the bruises and lacerations, he sees the royal robes of a king; and instead of a brutal crown of thorns, he sees the magnificent diadem of divine majesty. Perhaps he sees this because suffering often brings with it a clarity of vision which we do not normally have. This insight engenders faith, and this faith is rewarded by our Lord with the promise of Paradise.

This little story should serve as a reminder to us that we must make the best use of our sufferings. Each one of us experiences suffering here on earth—it may be the slight annoyances of day-to-day life; or it may be serious setbacks in health, the death of a loved one, the betrayal of friends, the injustice of those with whom we work. Whatever the sufferings might be, we have an option: we could become embittered like the other criminal. Or we could unite our sufferings with those of Christ and recognize that we are called to be saints and that we share in a royal privilege—to participate in the redemption of the world.

Jesus suffered for each one of us. When we share in that suffering, may he give us the grace to repeat the prayer of the repentant criminal: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

© 2004, The Rev. Timothy W. Castor