First Homily
“Who is this Jesus anyway?” That has been the question asked by so many for a very long time. At the time of Jesus’ baptism the John the Baptist wondered if this was the one to put faith in. When Jesus raised the dead the crowds asked that question. The disciples wondered when he calmed the sea. Jesus even asked that question of the Apostles. Peter got it right by saying that Jesus is the Christ, but even he would not understand the meaning of that answer…at least not until now. The crowds say that he is Son of David. That is the question that we enter into Holy Week with. Who is Jesus? Is he the Messiah? Then why does he ride on a donkey and not a horse? Is he God? Then why doesn’t he strike dead those who have crucified him? Who is Jesus?

Second Homily
One of the things that we prize in a spouse, a friendship, a co-worker, or family member is loyalty. When we trust someone we would expect that they will be there when difficult

times come. Yet, we often are saddened to discover that the depth of our friendships is not what we expected. When we need someone and they are not there we wonder why.
Jesus trusted His disciples with everything. They were included in Jesus’ great moments on the hillside when he multiplied loaves and fishes and on another hill when he was transfigured with Moses and Elijah. They were included when he raised a little girl from the dead. Jesus taught them intimacy with the Father in prayer. He showed them that He was a friend. They all thought they were Jesus’ friends. Thomas said that he was willing to go to Bethany to die with Jesus when he went there to raise Lazarus. Peter said that he would remain faithful even unto death. No one imagined that one of them could betray Jesus, yet in the end they all left him, one denied him, and another betrayed him.
The story of the disciples is our story over and over again. God created us in love and we turned our

back on him in the Garden of Eden. God freed Israel from slavery in Egypt and the people made a golden idol and worshipped it instead. The prophets called the people to true worship and they defrauded the poor instead. Jesus included the Apostles and they ran away.
We have forsaken Jesus time and again too. Maybe this Lent we grew closer to the Lord. Maybe our disciplines have helped us become better disciples than in years past. Maybe it wasn’t. But when have you thought that you were a friend of Jesus and neglected to care for your neighbor? In the end all of us have been in that place. All of us have fallen short of the loyalty and friendship with the Lord. We are the ones who denied knowing Him. We are the ones who betrayed him. We are the ones who yelled, Crucify him. The only words Jesus has for us is “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” That is what love looks like. May we marvel at Christ’s immeasurable love this Holy Week and pledge anew to friendship once again.