Aligning Expectations with God’s Purpose

HOMILY: Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

Luke 23:1-49

10 April 2022

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

Sino ba sa atin ang mahilig mag-online shopping? Very convenient nga naman siya. We can even get some products cheaper online than if we buy them at the department store, after all, sometimes, they use the same supplier.  Kinakailangan lang mag-iingat tayo. Kilatisin ng husto ang produkto at tumingin sa reviews bago bumili sa isang seller. We might end up with something we do not want. There are buyers who end up with miniature or “doll size” items instead of full-size ones. Sometimes the colours appear different from what is in the pictures. Other times, we think we are buying the whole package but they were just selling a small part of it. It gets really frustrating and disappointing when we get what we were not expecting, di ba? 

Jesus was not the Messiah the Jewish people expected. It made it very difficult for them to accept the truth of His identity. When we look closely at Luke’s passion narrative, we sense that Jesus is trying to turn His accusers, His listeners and even His disciples away from their own expectations and notion of the Messiah. They had the wrong idea about who the Messiah ought to be. It kept them from seeing that Jesus was the Saviour and the Son of God. Recall the varying impressions provided by the people about the identity of Jesus — “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (Luke 9:18) Then Jesus poses this question to His disciples. “But who do you say that I am?” (Luke 9:20) Speaking on behalf of the others, Peter leads them all into a profession of faith. Peter confesses, “The Christ of God.” (Luke 9:20) Jesus acknowledges that it is God the Father who has revealed that to Peter.  On his own, Peter may not have realized it as well.  Nonetheless, Peter did not completely grasp the concept of Jesus’ mission as the Messiah. He was not able to accept the prospect of Jesus passion and death such that Jesus eventually reprimands him for it. We also take the example of Judas. What kind of Messiah was Judas expecting?  For Judas and the rest of the disciples, as Jews, they would have expected the Messiah to be a royal military figure who would wage a battle and save Israel from its oppressors to restore it to greatness. They were not expecting a spiritual figure who showed compassion, patiently taught crowds, and lived a life of humility.  We could surmise then that Jesus’ message of loving one’s enemies, concern for the poor and so forth was deemed nonsense to Judas and for those who see the Messiah differently. One commentary I have read even suggests that “Judas’ act of betrayal can even be deduced as an attempt to trigger Jesus. If He so wanted, Jesus could have saved Himself by rallying the people behind Him and so fulfill their expectations of the Messiah at the soonest possible time.” 

What Jesus was making them realise is that what they really want for themselves is upon them but perhaps in a different way from what they expected. He was the Messiah. He was in their midst. He was going to save them. Sadly, they did not see it.  Look at how Jesus further shatters their notion of the Messiah as He forgives while dying on the cross those who have caused Him great suffering and a painful death. As St. Paul points out in his Letter to the Philippians, “Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6-8)

It is a terrible feeling to have one’s expectations raised only to be let down.  In the recent weeks, I have been following the interviews and speeches of the different candidates vying for the national posts. I pay close attention to how each one of them would respond to the questions randomly thrown at them by journalists. I could tell right away who are those who would be more collaborative (or not) in their approach of governance. I love those candidates who use the word “we” rather than “I”; those who say, “We will do this and that…” rather than “I would do this and that…” That, to me, is practical truth because no one person can do everything, especially run a country. No one person can force the entire nation to submit and conform to a plan. People have to want to support the plan. People have to see the benefit of cooperating such that they volunteer their efforts and skills. That is why I support leaders who inspire people to do good, to be helpful, to be active in society, to be compassionate, to think of the good of the nation and not just themselves. I do not believe in politicians who make promises they cannot keep. If you believe in empty promises, you will end up disappointed and frustrated. 

Jesus is very much a leader. He is Rabbi, Saviour, and King to us all. Just as He was misunderstood when He lived on earth, people today have their own misguided expectations of Jesus Christ that prevent them from seeing the truth about Him. Some of us expect Him to be a genie who grants wishes. Pray ka ng pray na yumaman ka pero pag hirap ka pa rin, sisisihin mo ang Diyos, kesyo walang malasakit sa iyo o di nakikinig sa dasal mo. Kung ganoon ang expectation mo, mabibigo ka talaga kasi hindi naman genie ang Diyos na sumusunod sa bawat utos mo at kahilingan. Meron naman umaasa na ang Diyos na lubos na nagmamahal ay hindi kailanman hahayaang may masamang mangyari kahit ano pa ang gawin nila. Mali din naman iyon. Kung ikaw ay magpakatamad, magpariwara, manghamak ng iba, hindi nalalayong mailagay mo ang iyong sarili sa kapahamakan. Hindi ka dapat magtampo sa Diyos. He never desired you to be in such terrible circumstances. Rather, it is by your own actions that you found yourself in a predicament. 

Sayang kung di natin lubos na kilalanin ang tunay na katauhan ni Kristo at ang kaugnayan nya sa buhay natin. Jesus is our Saviour and He loves us so much that He gave His life for us. This is the story we recount in today’s gospel narrative. In every age and season, Jesus desires to be in a close personal relationship with each member of humanity — with each of us. He helps and guides us in ways we may not understand or recognise because He wants what is best for us.  

This Palm Sunday, let us be reminded to place our trust in Jesus. No expectations. Just complete trust. Let us allow God to surprise us, resting assured that as our Father, He loves us unconditionally and as our Leader, He never makes a promise He does not keep.