Sunday, April 9, 2001

This is the Sunday when we traditionally read an account of the passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. It is interesting to note how the main characters are similar to us. Peter, for example, talks a great game but he fails to deliver. Pontius Pilate knew what was right but was afraid to take a stand. Simon Cyrene helped carry the cross but he did so grudgingly and only because he had to. And, of course, there is Judas the betrayer.

Sadly, the faults and shortcomings of those who comprise the list of protagonists in the Passion story are very much the faults and shortcomings of which we are often guilty.

Recently we have had a quarterback controversy involving our beloved Buffalo Bills. What's his name is the starting quarterback, a sort of china doll type of guy who has stick-um glue to his hands, oh yeah, Rob Johnson. The darling of the fans was ahh, they named a sub sandwich after him, ahhh yes, and I remember, Doug Flutie. The minute old sticky hands threw an incomplete pass, the cry from the crowd was "FLUTIE, FLUTIE".

There were a few times when Flutie filled in for Johnson because the china doll got hurt. Eventually Johnson returned to the game. The very next play, Johnson threw a touchdown pass. Those boos suddenly turned to cheers and you would have thought THE CHINA DOLL was the darling of the fans, i.e., Johnson.

In recalling that moment, I couldn't help but think of that crowd who cheered "HOSANNAH!" one moment and "CRUCIFY HIM!" the next. It's an added piece of evidence to support the fact that our behavior, in general, isn't much different from the behavior of those we chastise in today's readings.

As we begin Holy Week, we may want to work on correcting and confessing the habits and sins we share in common with Pete, Pilate, Simon, and Judas. Not only them but the rest of the characters we hear about in the Passion Readings. It is a good time to take advantage of the grace that comes from the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is this grace that helps us realize that we have fallen short in our commitment, loyalty, and love.

SO THE QUESTION: OUT OF ALL THE CHARACTERS IN THE PASSION STORY, WHICH INDIVIDUAL DO YOU HAVE THE MOST IN COMMON WITH?

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