Gospel Reflections for March 29 2015
Jesus arrives in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and it was no accident. He planned it that way.
It was just a few days before the great feast of Passover, the annual Jewish celebration of their miraculous liberation from slavery in Egypt by their greatest hero, Moses. Every year since then they remembered that escape, and new freedom in the Promised Land. But every year since Roman occupation they longed for a new “new Moses” who would free them again. Every year their resentment grew toward oppressive Roman rulers and corrupt religious leaders who worked with them.
On Palm Sunday, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, which might sound humble to us, but was instead, a powerful Old Testament reference (Zachariah 9:9) that indicated their savior would arrive just that way. Jesus knew what He was doing! The people saw a hero. The Romans saw a threat.
What did Jesus see? Only He could understand this scene in a special way.
This was the same day that several thousand lambs were led into Jerusalem that were to be sacrificed during Passover. Moreover, they had been bred in special temple owned pastures in the area of …Bethlehem! Jesus and these lambs had started their lives in Bethlehem and both were to end in Jerusalem, and sacrificed at the same time on Good Friday.
How did the Romans and corrupt Jewish leaders react? They saw a successful leader they deeply resented and so were profoundly jealous.
This week I celebrated the funeral for Fr. Joe Scerbo, our much beloved Associate Pastor for many years at St. Paschal’s parish in Thousand Oaks, CA. There was not a jealous bone in his body. He loved to celebrate the goodness and success of everyone around him. If you were not doing well, he would search and find something in your life to praise. He rejoiced in simply knowing you.
What did Jesus see as He entered Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday? We know He saw adoring Jewish crowds, resentful Romans, corrupt religious leaders, as well as thousands of lambs on the way to sacrifice. Yet, I believe He could also see 2000 years later, and see a disciple named Joe who followed faithfully in His footsteps. He loved that!
We are now in Holy Week. Let’s all find something good to praise in someone we know. Find a way to help someone who is oppressed by problems. Let’s follow the example of Jesus, and follow the example of Fr. Joe.
(See my sermon at Fr. Joe’s funeral Mass in the “Popular Writings” section on the right.)
To learn more about the inspiring life of Fr. Joe’s, please visit AlwaysForwardBook.com. Always Forward started out as a small collection of personal stories which became a memoir of Fr. Joe’s healing ministry and all the people who have touched his life.
God Bless
Fr. Dave
To quote you directly: “Well said!” but we would like to add:: profoundly well said! A perfect reflection for the week, giving us inspiration to live more generous and open lives.
Blessings for Holy Week.
Rose Mary and Bob
I wish for you a very blessed Holy Week as well. Thanks always for your kind words.
What an interesting and appropriate comparison of Jesus and the lambs to be sacrificed…never thought of that, but again, that is what makes reading your homilies so informative, Father Dave.
And, Thank you, Father Dave, for bringing Father Joe to SPB and for his wonderful tribute. Sad, but also funny and uplifting, which I’m sure Father Joe would have humbly appreciated. A real celebration of his life…..and what a life it was!! I am happy and privileged to have learned from him. I often think, “What would Father Joe do/say?” in a situation, and, believe me, it is hard to be as compassionate and joyful as he was. Certainly, something to strive for…Always Forward.
Linda,
Your words are a lovely description of the thoughts that I have had relative to this reflections of Father Dave.
Wes
YEs, I agree too.
I like your idea about thinking :What would Fr. Joe do today.” You can still use it each and every day!
Loved your lovely words Father Dave ,that 2000 years later, we see a disciple named Joe who followed faithfully in Jesus’ footsteps!!! We tooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo see a precious disciple name Dave following faithfully in Jesus’ footsteps!!! We will follow Jesus and both of you and touch, help, heal, pray, forgive, be compassionate and be there for others!!!!Love our precious faith, love our Father Joe, and love you for giving us Jesus!!!! A most lovely Holy week and beautiful Easter to you!!!
Love, Franca and Dick
I wish you a wonderful Holy Week as well!
THANKS for celebrating Fr. Joe’s life at his amazing gathering for his tribute – your heartfelt homily and all the thoughts shared by those who spoke revealed how much he loved and enjoyed life, trusted God and that he was a genuine, kindly, loving, joyful and wonderfully child-like person. Now that he is “on the other side”, he can probably “help” more people with his prayers than even before. We all need to follow his example!
“Siempre Adelante” – I love that saying which he cherished as Padre Serra’s special motto.
Loved the photos you posted! His smile tells it all!! Blessings, Patty B.
YEs, I think we can count on his intercessions on our behalf whenever we need them.
Father Dave,
Thank you also for your wonderful tribute to Father Joe, I have fond memories of the both of you standing in front of St. Paschal’s greeting people as they entered the church.
We will miss the both of you this Easter Sunday!!
God Bless You!!
Catherine Marie
Thank you. I hope all goes well this Easter at St. Paschal’s.
Fr. Dave,
Thanks once again for your thoughtful and inspiring gospel reflection for this Palm Sunday. And a special heartfelt thank you for sharing your funeral sermon for Fr. Joe. While not having met him, he undoubtedly (and repeatedly) had his cheeks spiritually pinched by Angels and Saints as he entered Heaven this past St. Joseph’s Day (an earthly custom, especially for Italians with the same namesake). Suffice to say, his Prayer and Spiritual Inventory gifts are profound!
+Blessings, Joe
A spectacular, extremely loving homily for Father Joe. You hit ALL the high notes of his vocation. We love you and wish Christ’s blessings on your future.
Della and Gino
I think that Fr. Joe was helping me the whole time.
Thanks for posting the funeral sermon. I had to work. I’m sure Father Joe
will still be willing to help us from his new position in heaven. I intend to
elicit his help to bring my family closer to God.
I especially like the image of the flock of sacrificial lambs also
entering Jerusalem from your Palm Sunday reflection.
YEs, you can continue to call on Fr. Joe for his intercession with Our Lord. He will be glad to help! I think the image of both Jesus and the lambs entering Jerusalem on the same day is very compelling. The lambs were then inspected for any blemish for the next several days. Those without blemish were sacrificed. Ironically, it was Pilate who declared that Jesus was without blemish. “…I find no fault in this man.” Happy Easter!
I certainly felt Fr. Joe’s presence with me during the ceremony.
Father Davey having you doing the mass of Resurrection for father Joe was not only the right choice for a priest to do so, but who could more accurately describe father Joe and also deliver such inspirational homily like yours in my mind and the whole congregation This was a real tribute for father Joe and probably a ceremony that will last in peoples minds for a long time to come. Lastly, personally just listening to you homilies really leave a mark in me.
Miss you,
Happy Easter,
Joe and son Matthew
Thank you! I was honored to celebrate his services.