Even though
SERMON: Palm Sunday B 3 25 18
Isa50:4-9a;Ps118:1-2,19-29;Phil2:5-11;Mk11:1-11
Even though today is treated in the Episcopal Church as "The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday," we have for some years now omitted the Passion from our Palm Sunday worship, readings, and liturgy. We have done this for a handful of reasons, all intended to bring our attention, our complete focus, to the joyful celebration of Jesus' entry in Jerusalem on this day.
For starters, our Worship Committee and our Vestry have at different times determined and reaffirmed that the experience of Holy Week should not be telescoped into one day on Palm Sunday. The movement of Jesus through that tragic week two thousand years ago deserves more attention. It needs to be spread out so that we can better imagine the way of the cross that demanded so much of him not just on Good Friday, but all week long.
Even though great pain lies ahead, we need to explore the joy that preceded it. Ultimately we will explore the joy which follows. For now, clearly we need to look at the joy and at the pain in this most extreme saga that ends on Easter. That is our challenge. Today it is also our delight.
But before we get into the delight aspect, let us acknowledge the difficulty: we know what's coming. I would say we know how this story ends, but we don't, truly. Or fully. The story of the life of Christ goes on as long as Christians claim their role as the Body of Christ.
Even though we know what happens, we can celebrate Palm Sunday. But knowing what awaits Jesus certainly shakes the sensibilities. We almost want to warn Jesus off: "Don't go to Jerusalem."
Even though our salvation depends on it.
Remember that last Sunday Jesus told his disciples, "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."
Jesus is speaking about the manner in which people live their lives. We discussed this after coffee hour last Sunday in our review of the Beloved Community reflections. If we spend our lives in self-seeking pursuits, whatever they are, our bearings are confused, our directions wrong. If we have decided to follow Jesus and the way of life and the way of being he offered, he is our bearing, our North Star, and our directions are clear. And our lives, that quote concluded, " the Father (that is, God) will honor."
Jesus' monologue from last Sunday continued, "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."
It's pretty clear that Jesus knew what was coming. He knew that things were going to get progressively more difficult as the coming week wore on. As they did. Even though he knew this, he was able to enjoy and appreciate the welcome he received in Jerusalem. Let me say that again: Even though he knew this, he was able to enjoy and appreciate the welcome he received in Jerusalem.
We have a hard time digesting this idea. If we knew a fate like Jesus' was going to befall us in a week, what would we do? What could we do? Even though this is utterly hypothetical, we realize we wouldn't know what to do other than proceed. As Jesus did.
But what would we do is not the really important question. The really important question is how did Jesus do it? How can one set aside something so huge and be present in the rest?
When we stop and reflect on this we realize that we all carry sadness with us. It may be the reality of losing someone we love. Already or almost. It may be the existence of a medical condition that is troubling or life threatening. It could be a friend or family is in trouble, medically, legally or otherwise.
The point is that Jesus showed us how to carry on even with consciousness of the worst news imaginable -- his own earthly end.
Even though we know a lot about our burdens we may miss this point: Jesus is demonstrating to us how to carry them with grace, with acceptance, with knowledge of and a willingness to help bring about the fulfillment of God's will. Even though we might prefer otherwise. Even though we might imagine a great escape from whatever we see looming over us. Even though it scares us, upsets us, infuriates us, we can let it be.
This is a big part of the message of Palm Sunday. Witnessing Jesus be heralded as he was, being acknowledged as we acknowledge him, yet about to die. In a sense we are given with this explicit conflict a gift which contains the meaning of life.
This was brought to our attention Wednesday night by Rabbi Dan Polish at our annual Lenten Seder. Twice we found ourselves reading or singing something that involved injustice, violence or brutality. Each time Rabbi Polish pointed out that in the end the oppressor doesn't win. Ultimately we all arrive at our earthly end and our lives are a testament to our values. The evil stand condemned, no matter how successfully they have operated their schemes. The virtuous in contrast stand in the light of the spirit. God's will prevails. Eventually. More to the point, perhaps, God's will prevails on God's time, not ours.
For the moment, though, for today, let us reflect on the happy arrival of Christ in Jerusalem. Let us observe that the people are celebrating the arrival of Jesus in a way that they don't welcome others. The palms, the garments on the road, the cries and shouts of acclamation. This is well beyond the normal celebration of the arrival of a distinguished personage.
Even though they are thrilled at his appearing, the people also have their own prior experiences of Jesus either in person or from reports. People have not always greeted Jesus this way. Some even may have criticized or harassed him. So even though their enthusiasm may be newborn, they find it in themselves to celebrate his arrival this day.
Likewise we can fulfill our calling today even though our track record may be lacking. Even though our histories may not glow with good deeds and kindliness, today we can rise above our past and celebrate our understanding of God's will for us and love God and love our neighbor as best we know how.
Celebrate together this day of Jesus' breaking into the consciousness of Jerusalem two millennia ago. Celebrate his humility and his message of hope, even though much awful news is right around the corner. Remember we celebrate this day because we are going to live more fully into the reality of Holy Week on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter.
And remember, to paraphrase what Jesus said, even though it may feel at first like giving up something, those who give their lives to God save themselves. Amen
A sermon preached March 25, 2018 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Poughkeepsie NY by The Rev. Tyler Jones, Rector
