In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
As we leave behind the cheering crowd at Jerusalem and enter the week of Christ's sacred [saving] Passion, our gospel reading tonight might be seen as representing the change of mind of the Jerusalem crowd. Two sons are asked to do a task. One says yes but doesn't do it and the other says no but changes his mind and does his father's will. This little drama is also played out inside each one of us when we waver between the positive and negative impulses that can be at war in our hearts. And
wasn't it also played out inside Jesus himself in Gethsemane when he asked: If possible take this cup from me. But your will be done. The Jerusalem crowd begins as enthusiastic supporters of Jesus and then changes and calls for his death!
The first part of Holy Week brings us readings with lessons preparing us for the passion. Tonight begins Holy Monday with its theme of the treachery of Joseph's brothers who sold him into slavery in Egypt. Their first thought was to kill him. This prefigures the crowd shouting at Pilate: Crucify him! Crucify him! Joseph's brothers, however, changed their minds when they realized they could get money for him. So they sold him for 20 Shekels, prefiguring Judas' bargain to sell Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Judas is like the Jerusalem crowd, but even more, not just a quixotic enthusiast but a disciple, a member of the inner circle, "my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me," as the Psalmist says [Ps 41:9 NIV].
This story gives us the chance to ponder the nature of our relations with our dearest friends or even family. How easy it is for that relationship to turn ugly. And when it does, are we also hurting Jesus? "What you do to the least of these you do to me." And if so, might this help us learn from Christ on the cross to forgive even in the most painful of circumstances. For Joseph, when his family came to Egypt and met him, forgave them, embraced them and thereby brought healing to their family. Didn't Jesus say to his opponents and executioners, "forgive them for they know not what they do?"
On Holy Tuesday we meet again the ten bridesmaids awaiting the wedding feast. Jesus opens this story saying the Kingdom of Heaven will be like this. We often think this story is about being prepared to enter the kingdom of heaven. The foolish bridesmaids lost their opportunity to enter the kingdom of heaven because they were not prepared. The tricky part is understanding what that means. What was the error of the foolish bridesmaids? After running off to get a supply of oil, they returned only to hear the Lord say to them: "I don't know you." The oil they needed was not available for purchase. For the message of the parable isn't about oil or banquets. It's about being known by Jesus in a way that he can recognize. This is a lifetime occupation but Holy Week is a time to ponder this more deeply as we witness Jesus's passion. Can Jesus recognize himself in us?
And then on Wednesday we encounter the woman who crashes Simon's party and takes her sorrow and regret over her wasted life and spills that on Jesus as she anoints him with expensive perfume. The guests show righteous indignation at her behavior, while Jesus praises her act of contrition and then shows her compassion and forgiveness. He knows her, he knows what's in her heart. He also knows the hearts of the others in the room. When judgment comes, to which of them will he say at the door of the kingdom: "I don't know you."
This is our path during Holy Week as we accompany Jesus on his journey to Golgotha. Whatever we may or may not have accomplished during Great Lent, or even throughout our life, this week gives us a chance once again to learn from Jesus about forgiveness, compassion and resurrection.
Like the one brother in our gospel reading, who is able to admit, at least to himself, his misguided response to his father, and with a change of heart, change his behavior as well. Likewise, the woman's change of heart and life yields blessings from Jesus. May our participation in this Holy Week open us to similar blessings.
Glory be to Jesus Christ!
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