Mk 14:1-15:47 My God, my God!

Mk 14:1-15:47 My God, my God!

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“My God, my God!” I chose these words for the title of my meditation because it perfectly describes the day’s events and emotions.

Today, this Palm Sunday, everything is upside down, topsy-turvy. There is a storm that is brewing. The winds of change are coming upon the world.

“My God, my God” As Christ entered his holy city (the holy city of Jerusalem) the crowd greeted him as their Savior, as the Anointed One, as the King of the Jews. The crowd initially greeted Jesus enthusiastically; with cheers and the waving of palms. They laid down their cloaks and worshipped the God-man riding on a donkey. The people acknowledged Christ’s humble authority and saving power. But not too long after these events, the Lord spoke these very same words himself, as he lay nailed to the Cross. How people change. How things change. My God, my God.

“My God, my God” We say these words in good times. We say these words in bad times. We need to learn to pray these words always, before the good times and the bad times. We need to pray. The more we pray, the more we live. Let me explain. The more I pray, the less I sin. The less I sin, the more I love. The more I love, the more I live! My God, my God.

“My God, my God” Did you notice the “young man” who was wearing only a linen cloth? He was following Jesus from a distance. It is clear he wanted to be a follower, a disciple of the Lord. But he chose the wrong day and the wrong time. As the Apostles were fleeing for their life, this young man was seized by the high priest’s guards, but he left the cloth behind and ran off naked. My God, my God.

Reflecting on this passage, I find it ironic how the Apostles left everything to follow the Lord. Now, they were leaving everything to get away from him! Have I realized that every time I try to live my life far from the Lord, I lose my dignity? My God, my God.

“My God, my God” Jesus had warned Peter when he said; “You will deny me…Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” Peter did not pray; instead, he slept. And when an old maid asked him if he knew Jesus, he denied it; in fact, he denied him three times. At that, the cocked crowed twice and Peter ran off and wept bitterly. My God, my God.

Do I have to sin in this world to survive in this world? Do I have to lie to get ahead in this world? The Lord answers this question with His Passion. When the high priest rose before the assembly and questioned Jesus saying, “Are you the son of the Blessed One?” The Lord lifted his head and solemnly said, “I am”. My God, my God.

The Lord could have lied. He could have denied his Father; his very existence; but he didn’t. He would not deny his Father his Glory. He would not deny His Father’s chance to do something amazing! Something great! Every time we lie, we deny God the chance to work his miracle into the world. My God, my God.

“My God, my God” On the night that he was betrayed, the Lord prayed. On the eve of his passion, the Lord prayed passionately. He prayed the prayer that the Father cannot ignore. The Lord prayed the most powerful prayer in the Universe. Jesus told his father, “Abba, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will.” My God, my God.

If you feel as though God ignores your prayers, then try praying this prayer: “Father, do whatever you want with me.” I guarantee you he will answer it by saying, “You got it!”

During Holy Week, it will become more and more evident that the chains holding Jesus’ wrists together or the noose wrapped around his neck were not as strong or as tight as His Love for us! In the end, it was not Judas or Pilate or the crowd that did Christ in. It was His unconditional love for us that did Him in. The Lord's love for us held Him together. It will be his unfailing love for us that holds us together too. My God, my God.

My God, my God, may I always proclaim Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior now and forever! Amen.