Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
Mt 26:14—27:66
April 2, 2023

The month of May will begin with some very historic events. The coronation of the King of England will take place in Westminster Abbey in the City of London. Several days later, a young man will
celebrate the Sacrament of Ordination in St. Mary’s Cathedral here in Saginaw. Although there are certain similarities shared by the two celebrations, in truth, they could not be more different from one another.

Both men will be anointed with holy oil during the respective liturgies. The oil to be used during the coronation was pressed from olives gathered from groves close to the Garden of Olives. The presider, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, is quoted as saying: “This demonstrates the deep historic link between the Coronation, the Bible, and the Holy Land.” Matthew Gembrowski will be anointed by Bishop Gruss with Sacred Chrism blessed by the bishop this coming Tuesday as the faithful from every parish in our Diocese gather to celebrate the Chrism Mass. His anointing will serve to demonstrate the deep link between his Baptism Day and his Ordination Day…and the bond those two Sacraments forge with The Body of Christ.

In coming to the throne, the new King of England is claiming his birthright as the firstborn of the recently deceased monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. Matt’s vocation is also traced to his parents. They were faithful to the promise they made on the day they celebrated the Sacrament of Christian Marriage, a promise they renewed when they presented their infant son for Baptism. In fact, they raised their child to know, love, and serve Almighty God. Consequently, Matt heard and responded to God’s call to serve.

This is where the similarities end and the marked and extremely significant distinctions begin.

On coronation day, there will be a grandiose parade through the streets of London, which will be lined with crowds eager for a glimpse of this impressive display of power and pageantry. By extreme contrast, Matt will drive, without ceremony, through the streets of Saginaw to the Cathedral, totally unnoticed. For the vast majority who are not part of the Church, there will be nothing in the ordination to draw attention, or interest, or to impress.

The King of England will leave Westminster Abbey in splendid and costly attire, each rich and elaborate element having historical meaning intended to display power and authority. When his “subjects” look on as he parades past them in all this extravagant splendor, they will shout out: GOD SAVE THE KING!

During the Ordination Mass, Matt will not be crowned nor adorned with priceless jewels; rather, he will be “vested” in a white alb, reminiscent of his Baptismal garment and the purity of heart he will bring to his ministry. Over that will be placed a simple stole, a symbol of his vocation as an ordained priest and the sacramental powers that come with that station. There will be no rich velvet robe. His outer vestment will be chasuble, a sign of the charity and love he brings to his ministry and to the “flock he will serve,” as opposed to the “subjects he will reign over.”

When Fr. Matthew Gembrowski steps out of St. Mary Cathedral vested as a Roman Catholic priest, he will present himself as Pope Benedict XVI once described clerical vestments: “in robes of love that reflect his special mission and identity in Christ.” His vestment will represent his: “gift of self, the obedience and particular relationship with God.” Monarchs use luxury to define themselves. Ordained ministers clothe themselves in a manner that reflects: “who they are and how they must strip themselves of all the worldly attachments, giving up their own lives in order to act in the name of Christ.”

These two upcoming and current events lend themselves to a very vivid image of two historic events that took place over 2,000 years ago.

Having departed from a dusty little village near the Mount of Olives, Jesus entered the Holy City in the humblest of fashions. He came riding on a borrowed donkey. There were no other preparations made for this highly important event. Although on hand to welcome him were those who knew of His miraculous deeds and powerful teaching, the Lord’s arrival was unlikely to have otherwise attracted much other attention, especially considering what was happening on the other side of the city of Jerusalem.

So, to ensure peace in the city during the Jewish High Holy Days, the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, also made an entrance into Jerusalem. He came to demonstrate the authority and complete control of the Roman Emperor over an occupied nation. His carefully orchestrated and well-planned entry into the Holy City involved great pageantry and fanfare. The occasion was meant to attract as much attention as possible to arouse the fear and respect of the citizens. He was greeted with cries of: HAIL CAESAR! in whose name Pilate had come to govern. Contrast this to the reception Jesus was given. As reported in today’s processional Gospel, those gathered to greet Him called out: Hosanna to the Son of David…blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord!

The Palm Sunday proclamation of the passage from Matt. 21, as we begin our triumphant entry into Holy Week, begs the comparison between coronations and Ordinations…empires and faith communities…subjects to be ruled over and souls to be ministered to…military power and authority to control and loving service…pride and humility.

Despite the crowds chanting GOD SAVE THE KING! there will be another coronation in the not-too-distant future. The new monarch’s reign will be numbered in years. Even though the Roman Empire lasted centuries, there came a time when the greeting HAIL CAESAR! simply faded into history.

But…the announcement…HE IS RISEN! JESUS IS LORD! words proclaiming the REIGN OF GOD…are eternal.

Those who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, whether ordained or not, are called to example His as He began the final days of His mission in time, before returning to His eternal and universal kingdom…a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love, and peace.

Through our Baptism, we are all called to follow The Lord’s example of loving and humble service. In that way, our lives present a contrast to so much of the rest of the world.