Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed. John 20:8
This Easter morning is not an ending point, but a beginning point. And more so, it is most truly a point of continuation, the continuing story of God’s great love for the world and all of God’s people, and the story of God’s people seeking to live into that life-affirming, love-affirming promise with every breath they breathe and every action they take.
Tell the story, a friend of mine says, and get out of the way. Here it seems to be. People show up, and are surprised and transformed by the news of the empty tomb. They encounter the risen Christ, and are empowered to love the world on his behalf.
Place yourself in the middle of the story. Perhaps you are Peter. Perhaps Thomas. Perhaps even Mary – at the center of it all, whose transformation following her encounter with the risen Christ is the stuff of which true faithfulness is made. Place yourself in the middle of the story. And then place yourself in the middle of all of the rest of us doing the same thing. Call it a resurrection community, an Easter community, an alternative community of love. You are a member of it. We all are.
If we pay attention to the action of the story, we will be left with a kind of breathless mandate. To live life as if this good news matters. To live life as if we matter to its telling. It does. We do. Christ is risen, we say with the ancient church and every seeker and follower since. Christ is risen indeed. Thanks be to God.
John Wilkinson, Pastor
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Saturday, April 11
Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate asked him, “What is truth?” John 18:37–38a
Pilate questioned Jesus after his arrest. He knew the right questions to ask, but was puzzled with the answers. The accused criminal, pretender to the throne, didn’t claim kingship; instead, Jesus claimed to bear witness to “the truth.”
We live in an age where “truth” claims seem relative. We are aware that personal and cultural experiences shape understanding. Pilate’s question, “What is truth?” has the ring of modernity to it.
Truth—fact, reality, certainty, accuracy, veracity, fidelity—the truth to which Jesus witnessed was the being and demeanor of God. Jesus showed us God’s steadfast loving kindness and God’s desire to redeem the world so that we might love God and one another.
“In life and in death, we belong to God…” these words begin an Affirmation of Faith. We belong to God, we belong to the truth, and we belong with those who listen to Jesus’ voice and study his life and seek his witness.
Gracious God, I belong to you. Help me seek your truth through the life of your Son. Strengthen me in the life of discipleship so that I might love you and all your people ever more deeply. Amen.
Martha Langford, Associate Pastor for Congregational Care
Pilate questioned Jesus after his arrest. He knew the right questions to ask, but was puzzled with the answers. The accused criminal, pretender to the throne, didn’t claim kingship; instead, Jesus claimed to bear witness to “the truth.”
We live in an age where “truth” claims seem relative. We are aware that personal and cultural experiences shape understanding. Pilate’s question, “What is truth?” has the ring of modernity to it.
Truth—fact, reality, certainty, accuracy, veracity, fidelity—the truth to which Jesus witnessed was the being and demeanor of God. Jesus showed us God’s steadfast loving kindness and God’s desire to redeem the world so that we might love God and one another.
“In life and in death, we belong to God…” these words begin an Affirmation of Faith. We belong to God, we belong to the truth, and we belong with those who listen to Jesus’ voice and study his life and seek his witness.
Gracious God, I belong to you. Help me seek your truth through the life of your Son. Strengthen me in the life of discipleship so that I might love you and all your people ever more deeply. Amen.
Martha Langford, Associate Pastor for Congregational Care
Friday, April 10, 2009
Good Friday, April 10
“They will look on the one whom they have pierced.” John 19:38
Crucifixion is about the most inhumane way to execute a person, if execution is humane at all. There are several ancient, as well as modern traditions, in the Christian Church which focus dramatically on the wounds of Jesus and attempt to re-enact them, as if somehow by repetition we can make the original crucifixion more powerful, more effective. These folk are groping for the power and the mystery of the pierced Jesus.
Of course we do recognize the brokenness of Jesus in the breaking of the bread at every Lord’s Supper. We say, “This is my body, broken for you, do this in remembrance of me.” We eat the broken bread to symbolize that the broken and pierced body of Christ is transformative for us. In some of the resurrection narratives the disciples are bidden to touch the wounds of Jesus and be transformed
There is great theological and artistic interest in the wounds of Jesus, from St. Paul to Michelangelo’s Pieta. But a core Christian affirmation is that the wounds were enough. Neither Jesus nor we have to be re-wounded in order to satisfy some sort of cosmic, political or personal transaction. One crucifixion is enough. No more bloodshed is needed. In Christ’s death the war is over. Christ’s wounds are sufficient to overcome all hurt, pain and evil. The strange paradox is that we can look at the wounds of Jesus and our political, personal and cosmic wounds can be healed.
This is why we remember his wounds again, today.
Holy God, we present our wounded selves before you this day: wounded by disease, social circumstances, environmental conditions, love relationships and doubts about the future. We look for healing and wholeness. Keep us, O God, from further wounding ourselves, others and the natural environment. May we somehow understand that you were "wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, and by your stripes we are healed." Amen
Rod Frohman, Associate Pastor for Church and Society
Crucifixion is about the most inhumane way to execute a person, if execution is humane at all. There are several ancient, as well as modern traditions, in the Christian Church which focus dramatically on the wounds of Jesus and attempt to re-enact them, as if somehow by repetition we can make the original crucifixion more powerful, more effective. These folk are groping for the power and the mystery of the pierced Jesus.
Of course we do recognize the brokenness of Jesus in the breaking of the bread at every Lord’s Supper. We say, “This is my body, broken for you, do this in remembrance of me.” We eat the broken bread to symbolize that the broken and pierced body of Christ is transformative for us. In some of the resurrection narratives the disciples are bidden to touch the wounds of Jesus and be transformed
There is great theological and artistic interest in the wounds of Jesus, from St. Paul to Michelangelo’s Pieta. But a core Christian affirmation is that the wounds were enough. Neither Jesus nor we have to be re-wounded in order to satisfy some sort of cosmic, political or personal transaction. One crucifixion is enough. No more bloodshed is needed. In Christ’s death the war is over. Christ’s wounds are sufficient to overcome all hurt, pain and evil. The strange paradox is that we can look at the wounds of Jesus and our political, personal and cosmic wounds can be healed.
This is why we remember his wounds again, today.
Holy God, we present our wounded selves before you this day: wounded by disease, social circumstances, environmental conditions, love relationships and doubts about the future. We look for healing and wholeness. Keep us, O God, from further wounding ourselves, others and the natural environment. May we somehow understand that you were "wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, and by your stripes we are healed." Amen
Rod Frohman, Associate Pastor for Church and Society
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Maundy Thursday, April 9
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. John 13:3-5
I picked this day to “blog” because of the power and meaning of this day to all of us who believe in Jesus Christ. We come to the day, Maundy Thursday, when Jesus gathers with his disciples for the final time. John says that Jesus knew his fate, knew his betrayer, and yet his love for them kept him calm and in control. And then he did an astonishing thing—“he got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet…..”
How could Jesus perform this act which at the time was considered so degrading? M. Scott Peck felt it was one of the most signicant events of Jesus’ life. “Until that moment the whole point of things had been for someone to get on top, and once he had gotten on top to stay on top or else attempt to get farther up. But here this man already on top—who was rabbi, teacher, master—suddenly got down on the bottom and began to wash the feet of his followers. In that one act, Jesus symbolically overturned the whole social order. Hardly comprehending what was happening, even his own disciples were almost horrified by his behavior”.
Why do we call this day Maundy Thursday? Jesus asks of us three things:
Baptize others, share the bread and wine which represents body and blood, and literally wash one another’s feet. While this is not very feasible in our culture we can show the same caring by our love. Maundy is derived from the Latin mandatum, the first word of the phrase “Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos” which translates, “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you” (John 13:34). These words are chanted during the Mandatum ceremony of the washing of the feet held in many Christian churches. In washing his disciple’s feet, Jesus expressed without words his love to his disciples and to us. No more powerful way could have been chosen.
Dear God, Help us to be more like Jesus. May we see ways that our love can make a difference for others each and every day. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Elder Kay Ramsay
I picked this day to “blog” because of the power and meaning of this day to all of us who believe in Jesus Christ. We come to the day, Maundy Thursday, when Jesus gathers with his disciples for the final time. John says that Jesus knew his fate, knew his betrayer, and yet his love for them kept him calm and in control. And then he did an astonishing thing—“he got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet…..”
How could Jesus perform this act which at the time was considered so degrading? M. Scott Peck felt it was one of the most signicant events of Jesus’ life. “Until that moment the whole point of things had been for someone to get on top, and once he had gotten on top to stay on top or else attempt to get farther up. But here this man already on top—who was rabbi, teacher, master—suddenly got down on the bottom and began to wash the feet of his followers. In that one act, Jesus symbolically overturned the whole social order. Hardly comprehending what was happening, even his own disciples were almost horrified by his behavior”.
Why do we call this day Maundy Thursday? Jesus asks of us three things:
Baptize others, share the bread and wine which represents body and blood, and literally wash one another’s feet. While this is not very feasible in our culture we can show the same caring by our love. Maundy is derived from the Latin mandatum, the first word of the phrase “Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos” which translates, “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you” (John 13:34). These words are chanted during the Mandatum ceremony of the washing of the feet held in many Christian churches. In washing his disciple’s feet, Jesus expressed without words his love to his disciples and to us. No more powerful way could have been chosen.
Dear God, Help us to be more like Jesus. May we see ways that our love can make a difference for others each and every day. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Elder Kay Ramsay
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Wednesday, April 8
The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens—wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the Lord GOD who helps me; who will declare me guilty? Isaiah 50:4-9a
How often are our ears closed, and likewise, our spirits? Convinced that we have all the answers we become rigid and inflexible. Like the prophet, we need ears that are opened afresh each day, to hear something new in God’s Word and be expanded and transformed by what we hear. In such a dynamic relationship with God, we hope for the wisdom to speak words capable of sustaining the weary around us. It’s not an easy task, and we must expect challenge. We need the prophet’s confidence to stand firm in the face of adversity, unshaken by criticism and mockery, even insult, sure of God’s faithful help to the end. With God’s help, human efforts to disgrace and shame cannot prevail.
Elder Amy Stratton-Smith
How often are our ears closed, and likewise, our spirits? Convinced that we have all the answers we become rigid and inflexible. Like the prophet, we need ears that are opened afresh each day, to hear something new in God’s Word and be expanded and transformed by what we hear. In such a dynamic relationship with God, we hope for the wisdom to speak words capable of sustaining the weary around us. It’s not an easy task, and we must expect challenge. We need the prophet’s confidence to stand firm in the face of adversity, unshaken by criticism and mockery, even insult, sure of God’s faithful help to the end. With God’s help, human efforts to disgrace and shame cannot prevail.
Elder Amy Stratton-Smith
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Tuesday, April 7
Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. "Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. The crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?" Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light." After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them. John 12:20-36
In these verses of the Gospel of John, Jesus reveals to some Greeks that he will be soon be crucified. He admonishes them to believe in the light while he is still present so that they may become children of Christ. Some twenty-one centuries later, each of us is given that same opportunity to believe in the light that is Jesus Christ and thereby to share in the glory of God. May we make the most of that opportunity in our lives.
We pray that the light of Christ will shine in your life this Lenten season and forever more. Amen.
Elder Tomas Klaseus
In these verses of the Gospel of John, Jesus reveals to some Greeks that he will be soon be crucified. He admonishes them to believe in the light while he is still present so that they may become children of Christ. Some twenty-one centuries later, each of us is given that same opportunity to believe in the light that is Jesus Christ and thereby to share in the glory of God. May we make the most of that opportunity in our lives.
We pray that the light of Christ will shine in your life this Lenten season and forever more. Amen.
Elder Tomas Klaseus
Monday, April 6, 2009
Monday, April 6
Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. Isaiah 42:1
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. John 12:1-3
Many centuries before the birth of Christ, the prophet Isaiah spoke of God’s servant as “my chosen, in whom my soul delights”. In Jesus’ lifetime we see Mary demonstrating her devotion to God’s chosen one by anointing His feet with precious oil. This act seems like such a strange custom to us in the 21st century, an odd mixture of humility, intimacy, and reverence—in essence, an experience that speaks to every aspect of our person; one that might indeed, delight the soul!
Dear Lord, You have chosen and anointed your Son as our Savior. So let me also choose to immerse myself in Him, being present to that part of myself which is fully human and fully divine. Amen.
Elder Susan Rupp
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. John 12:1-3
Many centuries before the birth of Christ, the prophet Isaiah spoke of God’s servant as “my chosen, in whom my soul delights”. In Jesus’ lifetime we see Mary demonstrating her devotion to God’s chosen one by anointing His feet with precious oil. This act seems like such a strange custom to us in the 21st century, an odd mixture of humility, intimacy, and reverence—in essence, an experience that speaks to every aspect of our person; one that might indeed, delight the soul!
Dear Lord, You have chosen and anointed your Son as our Savior. So let me also choose to immerse myself in Him, being present to that part of myself which is fully human and fully divine. Amen.
Elder Susan Rupp
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Palm Sunday, April 5
... an Invocation for Palm Sunday
This is your day, holy God. Every day belongs to you. We would empty ourselves before you so there will be room for your entrance into our minds and hearts. Our times are in your hands. This precious gift of life is ours, in trust, from you. We give thanks for your steadfast love endures forever. That love, expressed in the life of Jesus, dared to challenge those centers of power that lived by other standards. We come to declare that love today. Reign among us, we pray. Amen.
from Led by Love, by Lavon Bayler
This is your day, holy God. Every day belongs to you. We would empty ourselves before you so there will be room for your entrance into our minds and hearts. Our times are in your hands. This precious gift of life is ours, in trust, from you. We give thanks for your steadfast love endures forever. That love, expressed in the life of Jesus, dared to challenge those centers of power that lived by other standards. We come to declare that love today. Reign among us, we pray. Amen.
from Led by Love, by Lavon Bayler
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Saturday, April 4
His disciples did not understand these things at first… John 12:16
It is very easy to be critical of the disciples. Though I don’t like the overused term “get it,” clearly the disciples did not “get it” throughout the gospels. And they fail to “get it” as the wild events of Palm Sunday unfold. Or, rather, they “get it” later.
They didn’t get what Jesus was doing, what he was saying. They didn’t get their role in the entire drama.
But here’s the thing—they are us. Through and through the gospels, the disciples are our surrogates. And rather than get worked up over what they, or we, don’t get, we should be assured that they eventually do. The gospels were never written for their own sake, but rather to pass down to generations to follow, with the absolute presumption that it would take hard communal work to comprehend.
It is not so much that we are thick. It is that we are human. So even now, on this day before Palm Sunday as we think about what happens tomorrow and the next seven days, let’s not worry so much about our precise comprehension. Let’s be there to experience things, and trust the Spirit of God to teach us what we need to know.
O God, give us a Spirit of wisdom, that as we approach Jerusalem and Holy Week, we may understand what you would have us understand, and follow where you lead. Amen.
John Wilkinson, Pastor
It is very easy to be critical of the disciples. Though I don’t like the overused term “get it,” clearly the disciples did not “get it” throughout the gospels. And they fail to “get it” as the wild events of Palm Sunday unfold. Or, rather, they “get it” later.
They didn’t get what Jesus was doing, what he was saying. They didn’t get their role in the entire drama.
But here’s the thing—they are us. Through and through the gospels, the disciples are our surrogates. And rather than get worked up over what they, or we, don’t get, we should be assured that they eventually do. The gospels were never written for their own sake, but rather to pass down to generations to follow, with the absolute presumption that it would take hard communal work to comprehend.
It is not so much that we are thick. It is that we are human. So even now, on this day before Palm Sunday as we think about what happens tomorrow and the next seven days, let’s not worry so much about our precise comprehension. Let’s be there to experience things, and trust the Spirit of God to teach us what we need to know.
O God, give us a Spirit of wisdom, that as we approach Jerusalem and Holy Week, we may understand what you would have us understand, and follow where you lead. Amen.
John Wilkinson, Pastor
Friday, April 3, 2009
Friday, April 3
The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—the King of Israel!” John 12:12-13
Jerusalem was a very crowded place. Religious pilgrims had already begun flooding the city in preparation for the Passover. Herders would be clogging the streets with the many sacrificial animals—lambs and calves—required for this High Holy Festival. The Roman Governor, Pilate was in town with extra troops to keep a lid on sectarian violence and potential riots; that made Jerusalem a very dangerous place to greet a new “King of Israel.”
We can’t know exactly what drew out the crowds, the text doesn’t say. We can’t know exactly what the people expected of Jesus when they began to wave the branches and call him a king. But, we do know that their first cry, “Hosanna” was a cried-aloud prayer for salvation.
I picture the palm branches that lined the muddy street, forgotten after being trampled underfoot and I wonder… What does salvation look like?
On this day, perhaps, it looked like a parochial parade with a man riding a donkey. We know that a few short days later, it would look much different and I wonder… Did Jesus walk over any of those crushed, forgotten fronds on his way to the cross?
Almighty God, when I bless your holy name, free me from my limited expectations to glimpse your uncontainable majesty. When I cry to you for salvation, free me from my limited expectations to experience the wonder of your redeeming love. When I consider your claim on my life, free me from my limited expectations to live as one who knows this Jesus whom the crowds proclaimed king. Amen.
Martha Langford, Associate Pastor for Congregational Care
Jerusalem was a very crowded place. Religious pilgrims had already begun flooding the city in preparation for the Passover. Herders would be clogging the streets with the many sacrificial animals—lambs and calves—required for this High Holy Festival. The Roman Governor, Pilate was in town with extra troops to keep a lid on sectarian violence and potential riots; that made Jerusalem a very dangerous place to greet a new “King of Israel.”
We can’t know exactly what drew out the crowds, the text doesn’t say. We can’t know exactly what the people expected of Jesus when they began to wave the branches and call him a king. But, we do know that their first cry, “Hosanna” was a cried-aloud prayer for salvation.
I picture the palm branches that lined the muddy street, forgotten after being trampled underfoot and I wonder… What does salvation look like?
On this day, perhaps, it looked like a parochial parade with a man riding a donkey. We know that a few short days later, it would look much different and I wonder… Did Jesus walk over any of those crushed, forgotten fronds on his way to the cross?
Almighty God, when I bless your holy name, free me from my limited expectations to glimpse your uncontainable majesty. When I cry to you for salvation, free me from my limited expectations to experience the wonder of your redeeming love. When I consider your claim on my life, free me from my limited expectations to live as one who knows this Jesus whom the crowds proclaimed king. Amen.
Martha Langford, Associate Pastor for Congregational Care
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Thursday, April 2
The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel!" John 12: 12-13
It is an ironic triumph, this Palm Sunday story. Ancient monarchs were supposed to ride on a white, military horse. King Jesus comes on a donkey riding for peace. And what does he get? Coronation? No, he is betrayed, isolated, tortured and killed. Some triumph! The irony of Palm Sunday is that our Savior does not save us from death, pain, trouble, or failure. Instead he comes and dies exactly the death each of us will die. It is hard for us to understand that is only in the powerless dying of Christ that we are given power to understand our own deaths, pain, troubles, and failure. In Jesus we do not find a way out of the human condition, rather we find a way through. Strangely, God works out purpose in our lives not by parades, but by crosses.
Holy God, we all seek to control our own destiny. Give us the insight in the coming holy week to understand power made perfect in weakness. Amen
Roderic Frohman, Associate Pastor for Church in Society
It is an ironic triumph, this Palm Sunday story. Ancient monarchs were supposed to ride on a white, military horse. King Jesus comes on a donkey riding for peace. And what does he get? Coronation? No, he is betrayed, isolated, tortured and killed. Some triumph! The irony of Palm Sunday is that our Savior does not save us from death, pain, trouble, or failure. Instead he comes and dies exactly the death each of us will die. It is hard for us to understand that is only in the powerless dying of Christ that we are given power to understand our own deaths, pain, troubles, and failure. In Jesus we do not find a way out of the human condition, rather we find a way through. Strangely, God works out purpose in our lives not by parades, but by crosses.
Holy God, we all seek to control our own destiny. Give us the insight in the coming holy week to understand power made perfect in weakness. Amen
Roderic Frohman, Associate Pastor for Church in Society
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Wednesday, April 1
…so they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel...” John 12:13
Palm Sunday is one of my favorite Sundays – or days – of the year. I love the celebratory feeling of gathering together with palms waving over head, singing “Hosanna!” I love all of the music associated with Palm Sunday and the anticipation that the day seems to bring to all. Even though we know that the most somber of days lies just ahead, Palm Sunday always feels so full of promise. This verse speaks to that promise and reminds us that our tradition of passing out and waving palms overhead is rooted in a seemingly spontaneous reaction of a crowd of people in Jerusalem, two thousands years ago as they greeted the biggest “celebrity” of their time. Here, in the person of Jesus, was their promise of hope for a better future; they couldn’t contain themselves as they joyously greeted his arrival into their midst. The promise of hope for a better future is still just as irresistible to us, some two thousand years later.
Dear Lord – may be always maintain our hope for a better future, and may we trust that through our belief in you, that future will be here for us. Amen.
Deacon Melanie Ward
Palm Sunday is one of my favorite Sundays – or days – of the year. I love the celebratory feeling of gathering together with palms waving over head, singing “Hosanna!” I love all of the music associated with Palm Sunday and the anticipation that the day seems to bring to all. Even though we know that the most somber of days lies just ahead, Palm Sunday always feels so full of promise. This verse speaks to that promise and reminds us that our tradition of passing out and waving palms overhead is rooted in a seemingly spontaneous reaction of a crowd of people in Jerusalem, two thousands years ago as they greeted the biggest “celebrity” of their time. Here, in the person of Jesus, was their promise of hope for a better future; they couldn’t contain themselves as they joyously greeted his arrival into their midst. The promise of hope for a better future is still just as irresistible to us, some two thousand years later.
Dear Lord – may be always maintain our hope for a better future, and may we trust that through our belief in you, that future will be here for us. Amen.
Deacon Melanie Ward
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