By Christina Semmens

“Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” ~ Philipians 2:8

The Master Has Need of It

On Palm Sunday, the Church proclaims two Gospels, giving us much to meditate upon for the week. The first shares Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem and how Jesus sends two of his disciples to fetch a donkey colt from a nearby village.

Particularly intriguing is Jesus’ direction to his disciples as to an explanation they are to give as to why they are taking the colt, “The Master has need of it.”

When this phrase is meditated upon using the four senses of Scripture—literal, moral, allegorical, and eschatological—it becomes a profound entry point into the events that happen throughout Holy Week.

As we reflect upon “The Master has need of it,” this phrase can point us towards the meaning within the meaning that lies within the meaning of the person of the Word Himself and the passion driving His Passion.

We are invited to delve more deeply into this rich and profound meaning during this holiest of weeks.

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

So, how is it that we go from this great acclaim and celebration to the crucifixion just five days later?

The second Gospel of Palm Sunday shares these events, but the deeper meaning of this interrogative is encapsulated in Jesus’ lamentation on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

Like Jesus, we can find life seemingly going from wonderful and triumphant to horrid and devastating in the wake of a death or catastrophic accident or perhaps a debilitating illness, job loss, or betrayal in a relationship.

When these devastating and crushing things occur in our lives, we may find ourselves crying out to God, as Jesus did, and begging God for answers and consolation. When neither answers nor comfort are forthcoming, we begin to despair since there seems to be no end to the pain in sight.

Becoming Obedient to the Point of Death

Yet this is where the passion of our Lord’s Passion gives us the way through.

Because it is our Lord’s passion for us that made Him obedient to the point of death on a cross.

You see, Jesus is passionate about you.

He is passionate about me.

In fact, He is passionate about every single one of us.

So much so that it is His passion that got Jesus through His Passion and death on the cross.

But the best thing?

Jesus can share His Passion with us.

Because if we are even a tiny bit passionate about Jesus, then He will share His passion for us, with us, so that we then have enough passion to get us through our own Passion—right up to becoming obedient to the point of death.

And when we get to that point, we are truly ready for Easter morning.

Prayer

This Holy Week, Lord, I give thanks for the passion of your Passion. A passion that is as deep as the ocean, as high as the sky, and wider than the sunrise. Grant me the courage, strength, and obedience to carry my own cross in union with you up to the point of death. May your Passion remind me of your great love for me, and may I do all in my power to help others know of your passion for them as well, especially during this holiest of weeks.  

Call to Action

Resolve to spend time meditating each day upon the passion of Christ’s Passion for you that led Him to become obedient to the point of death on the cross.  

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