B: Palm Sunday (25 Mar 2018) - MT. OLIVES - Mk 11:1-10

The beginning of the Passion of the Christ is set on Mt. Olives. The Synoptic Gospels are one in stating that it is the site of his entry into Jerusalem where he was triumphantly welcomed by the crowd (cf. Mt. 21:1-9; Mk. 11:1-10; Lk. 19:29-38). Here he is particularly acclaimed either as the son of David (Mt. 21:9,15; Mk. 11:10) or a king (Lk. 19:38; Jn. 12:13) who comes in the name of the Lord. Indeed, Mt. Olives is a mount of victory for Jesus!

However, in the Old Testament, Mt. Olives is a mount of sorrows. King David started his journey away from Jerusalem here after his son Absalom had staged a rebellion against him (cf. 2 Sam 15:30). In a prophecy in Zech 14:4-5, it will be the place of the great battle of the nations against Jerusalem, yet it will also be where the Lord will appear to fight on their behalf. Despite being portrayed as the location of many sorrows, Mt. Olives is the mountain of protection and eschatological hope (As an aside, present-day Jews long to be buried in that area since their ascent to God's kingdom is believed to begin from there.)

The sorrows of Jesus started too in Mt. Olives, particularly in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mt. 26:36; Mk. 14:32). Here he had his emotional outbursts and agony in prayers (cf. Mt. 26:36-41; Mk. 14:32-38; Lk. 22:39-46). This would only get worse when he was betrayed by one of his disciples and arrested by his enemies within this area (cf. Mt. 26:30; Mk. 14:26; Lk. 22:39; Jn. 18:1). Nevertheless, despite being the site of all these heartbreaks, Jesus would choose this place as the point of departure of his ascension into heaven (cf. Lk 24:50; Acts 1:12). Mt. Olives at the end remains as the mount of final victory!

Filipinos have also a Mt. Olives and it is no other than the Philippines. On the one hand, it is where our first joys are born, our cultural heritage is rooted, our faith is sown, and our identity is marked. Yet, on the other hand, it is also the source of much of our pains, frustrations, and heartaches. It stands as a paradoxical reminder to all of us that life is a mixture of both happiness and sorrow. Both emotions are so mixed up in a way that they could not be easily distinguished from each other. Thus, our frustration on the administration is not a personal shot against government leaders but an indication of our utmost care for our land. Likewise, our demand for more accountability among them is a manifestation that we want this land to be protected and be well run. But when healthy criticisms are brushed off and undermined, we begin to plummet downhill.

As an effect, many flee from the Philippines. The reality is one of ten Filipinos are living outside the country. Most believe that a brighter future lies elsewhere, and they may be right considering the economic opportunities the First World is offering. Yet, deep inside the hearts of those in the so-called Diaspora are genuine emotional attachment, concern, and love for the fatherland. Still, even in foreign lands, they bleed "brown". Just take notice that there has been a humungous queue in Milan over the newly-opened Jollibee. Or note how Filipinos congregate on Sundays filling empty churches in lands where Christianity has become insignificant. Or see why in a span of two years we continue to argue among each other who are pro or anti-Duterte. It is because we own our Filipino identity, and we still care for our homeland.

Mt. Olives is just a physical space, and so is the Philippines. But let not this land become detached from our prayers and concerns less it become meaningless to the next generation. Still, our eschatological hope is embedded there even if now we remain in sorrow.

- Rex Fortes, CM