Mt 26,14 – 27, 66.

        A teacher challenges her students in class, “Here’s $5 to anyone who can tell me the name of the most famous man in history.” An Irish boy quickly replies, “St. Patrick.” The teacher says, “Sorry Joseph, that’s not correct.” Then an Indian boy says, “Mahatma Gandhi.” The teacher replies, “Sorry, Ranjit, that’s not right either.”

        Then, a Jewish boy says, “Jesus Christ.” The teacher says, “That’s right, Aaron! Here is your $5.” Then, the teacher says, “Aaron, you surprise me. You are a Jew, yet you answered ‘Jesus Christ’”. Aaron replies, “Yeah, I know. My heart tells me it’s Moses, but business is business.”

        The Jews are known for being excellent businessmen. Jesus is a Jew and he also means business. At twelve years old when Mary and Joseph find him in the Temple, he already knows his mission. “Why is it that you have sought me? Did you not know that I ought to be occupied in my Father’s business?” (Lk 2,49) Jesus comes into the world not for the crowd’s adulation but to do his Father’s business.

        Today, we recall Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem where he suffers and dies. That is the core of his Father’s business, which he seeks to fulfil. The appointed time has come. No turning back! After all, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.” (Jn 4,34) Business is business!

        Passion Sunday marks the start of Jesus’ passion that culminates in his death on the cross. We also call it Palm Sunday due to the palm branches blessed at the Mass. Palm branches are the ancient symbol of victory. When Roman soldiers come home triumphant from battle, they bring palm branches as souvenir of their victory.

        When Jesus enters Jerusalem, the people wave palm branches and cheer him as a victorious king. They don’t realise his victory comes at the price of his own blood.

        Heavenly Father, as we begin Holy Week we wave palm branches to declare Your Son’s victory coming from his sacrifice on the cross. Our concern is Your business – the business of love, self-giving and self-sacrifice.

        Brothers and sisters, it is in dying to our selfishness, in total self-giving, in genuine love, that we join in Jesus’ victory today and for eternity.

        + Manny Cabajar, C.Ss.R. D.D.