Homilies

Pilate’s question, “What is truth?” echoes through the centuries because it captures the core of our human struggle. Pilate stands in front of Jesus, a man whose innocence he openly acknowledges, and yet he remains trapped in the familiar patterns of human history—a history of power abused, justice twisted, and truth silenced. His question is not flippant or dismissive. Rather, Pilate voices the deep uncertainty within each of us when faced with a world that appears unchanging in its cycles of selfishness, pride, and violence.

Tonight we witness something unexpected: the Lord, the master, the teacher, kneeling at the feet of his disciples. Amidst the echoes of Passover preparations, amidst talk of betrayal and sacrifice, one action pierces through: Jesus washing feet. It might seem odd that on Holy Thursday, the night we celebrate the instituion of the Eucharist, we are given a Gospel that does not explicitly show the Eucharist at all. Instead, we encounter humility in its purest form.

Jesus rides into Jerusalem today not as a conquering king but as the one who willingly goes to the cross. Every step, every gesture of his procession speaks clearly of one thing: the limitless depth of God’s love for us. Yet how often do we doubt this love, feeling isolated by pain, misunderstood by others, or burdened by hidden wounds?

Today, we see Jesus embracing our pain, carrying it deliberately toward the cross. His entry into Jerusalem is more than just a historical event—it is God’s profound declaration that we will never be alone. Our suffering, which we believe isolates us, actually draws us intimately into Christ’s own journey. He makes our loneliness his own; he enters our abandonment, our rejection, our fears, and insecurities.