This Sunday is Palm/Passion Sunday. It is the Sunday in which we remember Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, prepare ourselves for the disciples rejection of Jesus, and Jesus' death on a cross. We will worship this Sunday at 10:00 virtually. You join us from the church's webpage, Facebook, or Youtube. This week, we will rebroadcast a portion of last year's Palm Sunday service. Then, each day during Holy Week, Kelly, Karen, or myself will post a devotional piece to the church's Facebook page. It is Karen's chance to preach a sermon; it is my chance to write and perform that oratorio that is inside me, and Kelly's chance to do a liturgical dance. Join us as we journey with Jesus to the cross and to Easter.
This is the week we remember Jesus' violent and tragic death. But it wasn't a senseless death, because for us it means life. He showed us how to live a faithful life as a child of God and, more than that, he was raised from the dead. When he returned, he gave us his Spirit so that we too could live as children of God. Our remembering is not simply a calling to mind past events that might stir up feelings of guilt, or sympathy. This week we're remembering with gratitude that Jesus is a presence with us now and is a promise for our future.
Our crucified God's passion speaks loudly of love and God's closeness to us. Through Jesus' suffering God chose to come close to all who suffer illness, lose, depression, and addiction. God is also close to all who choose to return love for evil; who forgive for past grievances; who reach out to the rejected. This week also reminds us that God is close to all who work for peace in a world that chooses violence and force to achieve its ends. We are reminded to let the grace Jesus offers us during this week we call "holy" work within us and transform us so that we can love others as he did.
