Homily 487 | Palm Sunday | Year B
In all four gospels, we read of the few people who followed Jesus all the way to Calvary and were with him when he died. We know their names. Their presence is therefore obviously of great importance. But what did they do? In short… nothing. They didn’t do anything. There were just there. And yet they did do something. They were present to Jesus.
When faced with a friend or loved one who is suffering, our first inclination might be to try to do something, to fix the situation. Rather than trying to fix things, often what the person needs is just for you to be there. Just listen. Be present. That’s what the small group at the foot of the cross did. Their presence comforted Jesus in his hour of greatest agony.
That’s what all of us can do this Holy Week. We can be present and comfort Jesus in his suffering. The death of Jesus is an event that lives outside of time. Jesus is God. In a mysterious way, 2000 years ago while hanging on the cross, Jesus was comforted by what you will do this week. He saw not only the people that would reject him, but also those who would believe in him and would want to be with him.
Holy Week matters. It matters to us and it matters to Jesus. If you don’t know exactly what to do, start by showing up. Hopefully this means you will be able to be present for the once a year special liturgy of this week. But even if you can’t be present in the church, don’t let this be just an ordinary week. Be present to Jesus. Allow him to speak to you. Allow your life to be different this week. Wherever you are, go to the cross… and just be there.