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HOMILIES

4. Homily - Sunday, April 5, 2020

At The Procession With Palms - Gospel 35 Year A (Mt 26:14-27:66)

Feeling alone?

Are there times, or on some days, moments, when you or your loved ones feel all alone as
a result of the strict restrictions imposed by public health authorities? When we especially
consider those aged 70 and older, and those who are ill, this time of pandemic has called for
an increased need for physical distancing.

At the same time, however, we can each become vulnerable to loneliness, and to an
all-encompassing form of isolation, both a physical, as well as an emotional one.

During these times, we are called to turn to the Cross, to turn to Jesus on the Cross, Jesus
crucified and alone: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”. There, we see Him,
alone, separated from God, and from those for whom He came to give his life, from all of
humanity. Deserted.

Yet, on this Cross, He bears all our loneliness. There, in his divine mystery and in a profound
way, He unites in communion with each person enduring such loneliness. In a way, Jesus
becomes much closer to us than we are to our own selves. There is no greater intimacy than
that with Jesus, as He bears our loneliness on the Cross. And where does He turn to in his
isolation? “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” With these words, He expresses a
profound, sudden and mysterious sense of abandonment. While He may feel utterly isolated
from humanity, He never ceases to know that his Father is near! He does not address John nor
Mary at the foot of the Cross when he says “God has forsaken me!”. No, He speaks directly
to God! He speaks to his Father! In addressing his Father directly, He reveals his trust in his
Father’s presence, without which he would not have chosen to address Him directly.
Therefore, when Jesus says: “My God, my God”, “My Father, My Father, why have you
forsaken me?”, He is praying, “I feel completely abandoned, I don’t even understand why, and
yet I pray to you.” Jesus continues to pray. And as He does so, he also continues to pray for
all of humanity, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And as He continues
to pray for, and love, all of humanity, His trust in the Father persists: “Into your hands, I
commend my spirit. Into your hands, I commend my life.”

(cont’d)

Collection of texts by the Most Rev. Christian Lépine 112