Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
At the Procession with Palms
Readings for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
First Published: Sunday, April 09, 2006
Short ride on a small animal
Homily
In addition to our own discipline during this Lenten Season, we have been following the story of Jesus as he works hard to get His Fathers message out. For those in his own time with open minds and hearts, His appearance heralded the coming of the Kingdom of God and Jesus was viewed as the Messiah the one that would free the people from their bondage.
Unfortunately as we have seen in scripture leading up to this day, Jesus also made very powerful enemies in the Sanhedrin and among the Pharisees along the way. He threatened their control of the people with his message of love. So, while his entrance into Jerusalem was met with loud hosannas as we just heard, there was also a current of hatred, probably just behind the front rows of the crowd, as enemies from the ruling class plot against him. Jesus knew this better than anyone. But for those who had come to believe in him, this trip was necessary. Even though Jesus knew this journey would end at Golgotha and his terrible passion, he came to fulfill all his Father had foretold through the Prophets and all that was necessary to save us.
With the stage set we launch ourselves into Holy Week and the emotional roller coaster that is captured in a condensed way in this celebration today. It has begun in Joy with the procession, is followed shortly with the Passion Story's sad remembrance, and goes back to Joy again as we celebrate Jesus great sacrifice and receive his body and blood in the Eucharist.
How does this day affect us? What does it have in store for us? We are given once more Christ's message of love and service. He is our great example. This short ride on a donkey into terrible danger is one we must take as well. Jesus is letting us see, in the most graphic terms, the consequences of following his way of love outside these walls in our secular lives.
If we practice our faith as we are told, in our daily lives, there will be a large number who will see our example, know we are Christians, and cheer us on with loud hosannas. But, as Jesus' example shows, there will be others, less noble in intent but none the less deserving of Christs love (and ours), who will be threatened by our message and plot against us as well.
Jesus sent us his strength in the Holy Spirit to be our consolation and our strength when these plots place obstacles in our way. His shining example of loving service to whole world is our banner. With courage then, let us go into this Holy Week with the pledge to follow our Lord, who for our sake entered into Jerusalem amid cheers to face his Passion for the salvation of us all.
Pax
At the Procession with Palms
Readings for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
First Published: Sunday, April 09, 2006
Short ride on a small animal
Homily
In addition to our own discipline during this Lenten Season, we have been following the story of Jesus as he works hard to get His Fathers message out. For those in his own time with open minds and hearts, His appearance heralded the coming of the Kingdom of God and Jesus was viewed as the Messiah the one that would free the people from their bondage.
Unfortunately as we have seen in scripture leading up to this day, Jesus also made very powerful enemies in the Sanhedrin and among the Pharisees along the way. He threatened their control of the people with his message of love. So, while his entrance into Jerusalem was met with loud hosannas as we just heard, there was also a current of hatred, probably just behind the front rows of the crowd, as enemies from the ruling class plot against him. Jesus knew this better than anyone. But for those who had come to believe in him, this trip was necessary. Even though Jesus knew this journey would end at Golgotha and his terrible passion, he came to fulfill all his Father had foretold through the Prophets and all that was necessary to save us.
With the stage set we launch ourselves into Holy Week and the emotional roller coaster that is captured in a condensed way in this celebration today. It has begun in Joy with the procession, is followed shortly with the Passion Story's sad remembrance, and goes back to Joy again as we celebrate Jesus great sacrifice and receive his body and blood in the Eucharist.
How does this day affect us? What does it have in store for us? We are given once more Christ's message of love and service. He is our great example. This short ride on a donkey into terrible danger is one we must take as well. Jesus is letting us see, in the most graphic terms, the consequences of following his way of love outside these walls in our secular lives.
If we practice our faith as we are told, in our daily lives, there will be a large number who will see our example, know we are Christians, and cheer us on with loud hosannas. But, as Jesus' example shows, there will be others, less noble in intent but none the less deserving of Christs love (and ours), who will be threatened by our message and plot against us as well.
Jesus sent us his strength in the Holy Spirit to be our consolation and our strength when these plots place obstacles in our way. His shining example of loving service to whole world is our banner. With courage then, let us go into this Holy Week with the pledge to follow our Lord, who for our sake entered into Jerusalem amid cheers to face his Passion for the salvation of us all.
Pax
posted by Deacon Jim | 2:03 AM
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