FOLLOWING THE PASSION

In the story of the Passion, Mark reveals who Jesus is and the secret soul that characterized his life: radical dedication to the Father and to men. A total radicalism (Jesus gave everything), universal (he gave himself to everyone) and obstinate (nothing discouraged him). What can we deduce from this? First of all, it was not betrayal that delivered Jesus to the cross, nor even power games, much less destiny. Jesus died because of the way he lived, he died for the love of man and in obedience to God. It must also be said that Jesus voluntarily took on the Passion, therefore he did not suffer or endure it and was not forced into it from no one. He chose this paradoxical and difficult path out of love, let’s say it again, for man. But that is not all. In the Passion he revealed how the saving power of God works in the most total weakness. Of course, for those who have no faith, his death has sealed a failure, a defeat and, if we want, a sensational denial. But divine logic is different from human logic: if humanity considered Jesus an impostor and a false Messiah, God instead recognized himself in him and resurrected him. If on this day the word of God gathers us to solemnly listen to the Passio according to the evangelist Mark, it is to lead each of us on the path of donation and not on that of self-preservation. It is therefore evident, and follows, that every form of triumphalism, power and arrogance manifest an oblivion of memory. We take the pictorial icon for this Sunday, which marks the beginning of the Great Week, from Pietro Lorenzetti who painted a solemn Entry of Christ into Jerusalem in the Lower Basilica of Assisi in 1320. That crowd that welcomes him with praise will be the same that asks for his death on the cross. But Jesus royally brings his offering to fruition.

Commentary by b. Sandro Carotta, osb
Abbazia di Praglia (Italy)

Translation by f. Mark Hargreaves,
Prinknash Abbey