The story of Jesus' passion poses difficult questions: Why did evil have the upper hand?  Why did God let Jesus suffer?  Why did Jesus allow these bad people to do what they wanted with him?
    Beside Christian theology that suggests God's plan to save us, and explanations based on the politics of Palestine in those days, perhaps there can be no better answers to the above questions. However, for today, instead of trying to repeat eloquently the passed on ideas surrounding the Passion of Christ, let us focus on listening to what the story tells us. 
    According to Luke, Jesus once said: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on your cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt..."  In this event, Jesus has indeed put into practice what he taught.
    Today's Second Reading is from Paul's letter to the Philippians.  At first glance, the entire passage looks like Paul's words.  However, the words are not all Paul's.  They are of an ancient Christian hymn that the Philippians might have loved to sing: Christ let go of everything, even his life, because of their salvation.
    The church at Philippi was Paul's favorite church.  But this church was bordering on a split.   Church members were quarreling among themselves over various issues.  People were holding grudges against one another. So, before quoting the hymn, Paul said, "Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus."
   For over two thousand years, sermon after sermon has been preached on the Passion of Christ.  Preachers with powerful voices raise their fists and slam the pulpits against evil and sins. Sopranos reach their highest notes, praising the precious blood and the victorious cross. But, alas, not much changes in the way most Christians behave. They sing a lot about Christ, but they do not put into practice what Christ taught. Words are but words.  Ideas are only on the lips.  There are so many things that we find hard to let go.
    We humans have failed to live as naturally as birds in the sky or lilies in the field.  We are greedy, and we are fearful.  Actually, we work hard to get more and to have more to hold.  We have lost the precious thing God once planted in our hearts, which is care. 
    No matter what we do, we are vulnerable.  The more we make sure we are in control, the more insecure we can become.   We may talk a lot about   God, pray fervently and read the Bible faithfully, but when someone trespasses against us, we find it hard to let go and forgive. The hands keep clutching the things they should have given up. 
     To have the mind of Christ, we must bear the cross.    Someday someone may step on your foot.  Be prepared to forgive, letting go of resentment.  Some day you may step on a neighbor's foot.  Be prepared to go to him or her to apologize and to ask for forgiveness, letting go of your pride.
    The need for conversion is seen everywhere we look.  As we look at our today's Church, we also see the need for conversion.   Jesus remained gracious and compassionate right to the end.  Jesus abandoned everything in order to cling to God, and to trust that God in God's faithfulness would raise him up at last.  God is always in control, amidst situations that seem out of control.
    A Christian preacher once said, "The heart of Christian spirituality is abandonment." (*)  This practice will bring us to conversion -- from anxiety to peace, from hostility to hospitality, from resentment to reconciliation, from fear to trust, and from imprisonment to liberation.
    Let the same mind be in us that was in Christ Jesus.  Amen.