Today's Gospel Reading: John 11:45-46

Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish."

The wisdom of Caiaphas. It is amazing how profound this prophesy was from the high priest, Caiaphas. (Although the sentence following it said that this, he did not say it on his own). How noble, how loving for one to say that it is better for one man to die so that a whole nation may live; but the irony of these words is that the one who said it was not the one who was willing to give up his life for others. These are words of somebody who sees himself too valuable and too worthy to be sacrificed. The words are great but the motivation may not be.

But Caiaphas was not alone. Have we also looked into ourselves when we say things that promote good and value and yet, are empty because we expect others to do it? We felt that our suggestions on how to do things are already our contribution to make things better. We never consider that more than stringing beautiful words that create meanings, acting on them makes them even more meaningful.

Similarly, as we enter into the celebration of our own passover this coming holy week, which will commence tomorrow, Palm Sunday, we are invited to reflect on the words of exaltation given to Jesus by the crowd. Are we truly excited to see him enter into our lives this holy week? to be one with his experience? to relive the act of love and selflessness that he has done for us, for the love of the Father? Do we believe that he is ever-creating as anew, making present his act of love every minute of our every moment? or are we just like some of the members of the crowd who might just have been influenced by the mob to welcome Jesus and yet did not really know him at all, did not really realize who he is in their lives?

As we PREPARE for the coming of Jesus into our lives this coming lent, let us start recognizing who he truly is to us --- so that when we wave our branches and palms tomorrow, we can genuinely feel the excitement, the gratitude to welcome our Lord, who has done great things for us.