Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord - B

Commentary
Mark 14: 1 - 15: 47

The Revelation of the Son of God

Mark begins his gospel with a clear indication of what he intends to do, that is to write "the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (1:1).

Throughout the book, Mark repeats that theme, or more accurately, that title of Jesus a couple of times. (This year, my reflections on the Sunday Gospel readings from Mark have focused on this title).

First, it is at the baptism at the Jordan river when the voice from the heavens tells Jesus, "You are my beloved Son" (1:11).

Later, at the Transfiguration, the voice from heaven spoke again of Jesus' identity, this time to Peter, James, and John, "This is my beloved Son."

In between, there are incidents when this title of Jesus is professed. "Unclean spirits" address Jesus, "You are the Son of God" in 3:11 and "Son of the Most High God" in 5:7.

In 14:61, the high priest refers to the title "Son of the Blessed One" in his interrogation. But it is not a profession of faith.

The Roman centurion in 15:39 is the first human being to profess this title, "Truly this man was the Son of God!"

The centurion does so while standing "facing [Jesus] and saw how he breathed his last."

At the cross, we come to know the depth of God's love, and thus, come to know God.