March 16

Posted March 17th, 2008 by pdunn
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Today, as we celebrated Palm Sunday in church, I watched the children of the choir marching to their places at the front, waving their palms (mostly) decorously. I confess my mind wandered to childhood celebrations of Easter and Palm Sunday. I have to admit that I don't remember any palms being handed out at church when I was a child. Now, maybe, since it was the early 60s, there were simply too many kids, and only the adults got palms. Or maybe, boys being boys in those days of the Lone Ranger and Zorro, parents didn't want to put anything that could turn from a plowshare to a sword--- or a palm to an implement of destruction --- in their hands. But I do remember distinctly that in most of the homes, you could find a palm frond --- sometimes single and sometimes woven, tucked behind a picture of Jesus.

Consider:

  • What do you remember of church services and celebrations from your childhood?
  • How have they changed? What has remained most constant to you?

 

Grow

Divine Turmoil

Pastor Mary's sermon today addresses the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. It is steeped in prophecy from Old Testament images. It causes a "turmoil" --- translated earthquake --- in the city. The arrival of Jesus heightens the anticipation of the Passover season. The crowd is excited, supportive, believing that they have found a king and messiah. Yet by week's end, Jesus will have been crucified at the behest of many of them.

Think about how you would answer the question, "Who are you?"  Would the answer be easy? Contradictory? Would it change over time as you matured? Would it be affected by who you were with?   In any case, it would probably be either a perfunctory answer, or one that went on and on.

Pastor Mary asks the same question about Jesus: Who is Jesus?  If we are merely human and He is divine, how much more difficult is that question to answer completely? 

Read:

 

Consider:

  • In her sermon, Pastor Mary says that Jesus is Immanual, which means God with us. How does this explanation of "who is Jesus" help us in our faith?
  • Why did the writer choose to say the arrival of Jesus caused "turmoil"?
  • What is the danger in making Jesus fit our definition of who we "think" he is?

Words for the Week

Try this contemplative approach to reading scripture called lectio divina.
Take a deep breath and find a little silence within yourself.  Then:
Read the verse a few times with a listening heart filled with unhurried expectation.
Reflect on this question, "What are you saying to me in this verse today, God?"
Respond by talking to God about your real feelings, thoughts, questions, and doubts.
Rest by simply being with God who knows you and loves you.

Monday Isaiah 62:11

Tuesday Zech 9:9

Wednesday Psalm 118:25-26

Thursday Psalm 139: 3-7

Friday Ephesians 3:16-17

Saturday 1 Peter 5:7