Sunday, April 5, 2020

Palm and Passion Sunday

The Revised Common Lectionary passages for the Lord’s Day are:

Liturgy of the Palms:
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Matthew 21:1-11

Liturgy of the Passion:
First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:916
Second Reading: Philippians 2:5-11
Gospel Reading: Matthew 26:14-27:66 or Matthew 27:11-54

The liturgical color for the day is: Purple

A parade.  Jesus in Jerusalem.  Alas, alas, Jesus in Jerusalem.

“Okay now, Jesus, now tell us how you are going to do it.  Speak it.  Give us the speech.  Loud and clear.  Tell us how you are going to take over.  Tell us how God will be victorious.  Tell us how God brought us out of the land of bondage and tell us how God will free us again.  Hosanna.  Save us now!  Speech Jesus.  Tell us how you will do it.  We are with you.”

Listen.  Listen to Jesus.  He’s crossing the line.

The Hosannas belonged to the crowds.  They were their words, not his.  He said nothing.  Was there nothing to say?  Couldn’t he say something?  Was there nothing to say?

Remember how she said it to you?  Remember how she used to say it?  “Actions speak louder than words.”  Remember?

He’s on the cross.  Jesus on the cross.  He’s silent.  He does not mock those who crucify him.  He does not speak evil to them or of them.  He does not curse them.  He does not blame them.

He does not say any agonizing words begging to make it all stop.  He does not plead for his life.  He did not fight for it—he did not defend it—and now he does not even beg for it.  Even the dogs beg.  But he’s silent.

Remember how she said it to you?  Remember how she used to say it?  “Actions speak louder than words.”  Remember?

He hung there.  Silent.   …louder than…

“…who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,
But emptied himself,
Taking the form of a slave,
Being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
He humbled himself
And became obedient to the point of death—
–even death on a cross.”

Rev. Dr. Daris Bultena
General Presbyter and Stated Clerk