Coptic Icon by Stephane Rene
There
is an obvious contrast between the first and the second part of today’s
liturgy. By the procession of palms, we have commemorated the triumphal
entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem; at the Mass, we are celebrating the sorrowful
passion of the Lord. We have abruptly passed from the “Hosanna” of the jubilant
crowds welcoming Jesus to Jerusalem to the “Let him be crucified” of the people
gathered in front of the praetorium. This unexpected U-turn is often used to
emphasize the mental instability of the masses, ready to change their mind
suddenly, according to the circumstances. More probably, they were not the same
people. Or, at least, we hope so.
Anyway,
it is surprising that the one who had been welcomed triumphantly, just few days
later is condemned to death. How is this possible? Actually, on second
thoughts, it is not so strange; between the two events there is a relation of
cause and effect: Jesus is sentenced to death exactly because he has been
recognized by the crowds as the Messiah. Until now, people wondered whether
Jesus was the Messiah or not. Now, for the first time Jesus is hailed as the
Son of David.
When
Jesus is led to Caiaphas, the high priest asks him if he is the Christ. When he
appears before Pilate, the governor questions him: “Are you the king of the
Jews?” The charge, for which Jesus was condemned to death, is his claim that he
was the Messiah. This charge was placed over his head on the cross: “This is
Jesus, the King of the Jews.”
What
is really surprising is that those who have been awaiting the Messiah for ages,
now that he has arrived at last, they kill him. Such is life! But what is
interesting for us is that, as long as Jesus is considered a simple prophet,
however he can be a source of trouble, he is tolerated; but when he is
recognized as a king, he is to be eliminated. It is the realization of the parable
of the ten gold coins: “We do not want this man to be our king.” People do not
want Jesus to reign over them. It had already happened soon after his birth: when
the magi came to pay homage to the king of the Jews, Herod caused a massacre.
It is what has continued to happen over the centuries: whenever it has been
claimed that Christ is not only a great prophet, but the king of humankind,
immediately a persecution broke out: “We do not want this man to be our king.”
But,
although people do not want Jesus as their king, he is king, he is our king, he
is king of all. He became so as he endured his passion. He was dressed with a
royal mantle (the scarlet military cloak); he was crowned (with a crown of
thorns); a scepter was given to him (a reed in his right hand); he ascended the
throne (his throne was the cross). So, we can salute him, not as a joke but for
real: “Hail, King of the Jews!” (Ave, Rex Judaeorum!).
Q
