This is my homily for 1 April 2012 (Palm Sunday). I am a Catholic chaplain in Teaneck at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) campus and for the FDU Newman Catholic Association. We celebrate Catholic Mass - during Fall and Spring semester - every Sunday Evening (7:30 p.m.) at the Interfaith Chapel, 842 River Road, Teaneck, NJ.
[_01_] The mark, the indicator, of an exceptional student – in a classroom …or the exceptional attorney/judge in a courtroom is that both understand the questions which are being asked.
I think all of us, at times, have been “guilty” either in the courtroom or classroom of rushing through certain questions…or responding with an answer before we have heard the question.
This happens, perhaps, especially on multiple choice exams (“A-B-C-D”) where we rule out/eliminate certain choices, then increase our probability of success by focusing on the likely responses.
Have we, however, understood the question? This desire to understand the questions motivates future lawyers, doctors, college students to take many practice exams, to anticipate the types of questions.
In this regard, we hope to use our time more effectively.
[_02_] In the final exam of the Passion, we see certain individuals seeking shortcuts, trying to hand in anything, as quickly as possible. Have they forgotten their extra number 2 pencils?
[_03_] FIRST, Pilate asks, Question One = “Are you a king?”
Arrested, accused, Jesus is stripped of any noble bearing, or VIP garments suitable for the red carpet or royal family. Surely, he is not a king. We can rule out, say “choice A. King.”
The paradox is that Jesus accepts the punishment which is coming to him BECAUSE he is a king. Jesus does not use kingship as immunity.
He says, “Yes, I am a king, but my kingship is not of this world.” (reference?) Our Savior is the king who protects his people by fighting for them, dying for them. He protects our freedom before God by giving up his life.
Pilate wants some other sign of royalty.
Perhaps, we think, at times, that our pursuits of holiness, devotion, prayer, will give us a royal exemption/EZPass from suffering.
Struggling with a particular ordeal or ordinance, we ask, “Why me?”
After all, I’m special … royal? Regal? Too young? Too old? Too busy?Jesus does not ask this question.
He meditates in a different way in Gethsemane. Jesus does not ask why me, but rather … Father if it is your will, why NOT me?
Are you a king? Yes, you are a king.
[_04_] Secondly, the disciples ask, Question Two – “Surely it is not I Lord, who will betray you?”
Instead of reading the actual question back to themselves, the disciples have downloaded – and/or published – a Top Ten List of other Traitors … those most likely
to sell out.
Therefore, each one can rule himself out as the choice for the one to betray.
They proceed to the next question. Yet, the disciples – and we too – could answer the question by self-examination.
Jesus, in his ministry, gives us the freedom, the confidentiality to do this in penance, confession, reconciliation.
“Is it I, Lord who will betray?” We can answer this from our own experience. The Good News about this “exam” is that Jesus has already anticipated our choices …and nails our sins to the cross.
[_05_] The questions of Holy Week invite us to use all of our heart, mind, and strength on this midterm and final …
1. If our king, Jesus, suffers torment, can I really expect royal treatment?
2. Surely it is not I, Lord? Well, if it is I..and if it is you… we can be grateful for this Passion Reading, the Q and A, the test which Jesus has already taken so that we may apply his wisdom to our answers and future questions.
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