Palm Sunday Reflection - A Face in the Crowd

There is something about being in a crowd that can be so uplifting at times and yet so dangerous at other times. We see this so readily in the March for Life march when young and old come together bonded by the common cause for love and life. Yet we have also witnessed the destructive power of crowds when things get out of hand resulting in real damage and physical injury. In this case the crowd becomes unruly as the herd mentality takes over.

As we enter holy week we read about two crowds; those that would welcome Jesus as he rides into Jerusalem sitting on a colt, and those that would soon be shouting, “crucify him, crucify him”.

We know which crowd we belong in. We know we would welcome our Lord and King as he humbly rides towards us. Yet we also know that it is by way of our sin, our faults, our failings, in thoughts, words and deeds, that we are placed in the crowd that aims to extinguish the one who gives us life. At times we have chosen real damage and injury over love and life.

I recall often at this time of year that Jesus was likely crucified a short foot or two from the ground and not as we see him in so many depictions. This means his mother and John were right there, intimately close to him, almost eye to eye. We leave the jeering crowd, and we come into the intimacy of his being on the cross. We look at him and He looks at us. Quietly we utter our words of deep sorrow for our sins, and for our lack of faith and courage. We say sorry for running with the wrong crowd, whether in the street or in our hearts and minds. We come close and stay with our Lord, for the conquering King is gentle and humble of heart, and in him we find rest for our souls.

Deacon Peter Bujwid
St. Agnes Church, Arlington, Massachusetts, USA