March 28th, 2021: Palm/Passion Sunday
Today, the Sunday of the Passion/Palm Sunday, we enter into Holy Week. We are now moving beyond the Season of Lent into an deepening personal journey with Jesus, the Christ. Today, as we step into Holy Week, there is much to reflect on, as we revisit what Lent offered us. It was a time of self-reflection as we contemplated our relationship with God and the challenges, difficulties, and uncertainty that we faced. But, during this final week, God continues to call us to take time to understand who we are individually, who we are with others in community, and who we are in relationship with God.
This Sunday, the Sunday of Passion/Palm Sunday, focusses on two Gospel Lessons. We open with the Gospel of Mark 11:1-11 (Jesus’ joyful entry into Jerusalem) and we close with Mark 15:1-39 (Jesus’ Passion). What begins as a victory parade ends as a funeral procession. It is hard to hold the tension that exists between these two lessons, yet, there is wisdom in hearing both these stories together
Palms and passion are the reality of our world. It is the reality of our lives. It is the triumphs and tragedies that touch us all individually. Each of us can name our palms and our passions.
We are both palm people, and passion people, because we are Jesus’ people. That’s just who and how Jesus is. Every day, he lived in the tension of the palms and the passion. He knew that it is not about choosing between life or death, palms or passion; but, about choosing life and death, palms and passion. That is the tension of this day.
That tension is always a place of vulnerability, and vulnerability is at the heart of Jesus’ life and death. It is the water with which Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. It is the supper he shared with Judas, the betrayer. It is the love by which he chose the cross. It is the waiting on God in the silence and darkness of the tomb. Jesus’ vulnerability gave him the freedom to live, love, and die. It is what makes him open and present to each one of us; to the world; and ultimately to the power of God.
Let us be vulnerable with him, today, as we gather up our palms and our passions, our triumphs and our tragedies, our joys and our sorrows, our laughter and our tears. Jesus accompanies us with tenderness, care, love, and wisdom as we enter the gateway by which the mystery of this Holy Week will enter each one of us.
Let us continue to pray for one another every morning at 10:30, remembering that God grants us wisdom, love, and peace as we hold each other in God’s tender keeping. Much love and care to you all. Keep well and safe.
God’s Blessings, Pastor Laura