Today is Palm Sunday. We get to experience Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem in triumph, and his arrest, trial, and execution. It is rather a day of spiritual whiplash. Even the Psalms highlight this dichotomy. Psalm 118 extols the works of God in joy, while Psalm 31 speaks of trouble and reproach. Both Psalms end with the acknowledgement of God’s supremacy, mercy, and loving kindness.
The Psalms and Lessons invite us to Trust God, just as Jesus
did, despite problems, fears, or even death. The Epistle notes that Jesus emptied
himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness…he humbled
himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross.
(Philippians 2:5-11) From the Hebrew Testament we hear from Isaiah who says, I
gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the
beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. It is certainly
hard to find God when you are being abused. However, Isaiah continues, The
Lord God helps me…I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me
is near…It is the Lord God who helps me... (Isaiah 50:4-9a)
The New Testament portrays Jesus in a very human place of
fear and agony and abandonment. He prays, “My Father, if it is possible, let
this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” Then he came to
the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not
stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the
time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again he
went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass
unless I drink it, your will be done.” (Matthew 26:39-42)
Psalm 118 notes the same stone which the builders
rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Jesus becomes that cornerstone
because as Psalm 31 states I have trusted in you, O Lord. I have said, “You
are my God.”
After the glad Hosannas of the Palm Sunday Liturgy we hear the
Passion reading. Often we are asked to respond at certain places. We say, with
the watchers at the cross, “his blood be on us and on our children.” I would
encourage you to read this meditation from Episcopal Journal by Rosalind Hughes
Preaching
from the Shadow - Episcopal Journal. She notes, “now, in a horrible, awful
twist, our children’s blood is on our hands. We have surrounded ourselves with
violence, and nails are flying, pinning innocents to the Cross.”
In Psalm 31 we are reminded to trust God and remember: My
times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those
who persecute me. Make your face to shine upon your servant, and in your
loving-kindness save me. God is with us even in the darkest times of
sickness, loneliness, despair, danger, or any of life’s other trials. It can
certainly be hard to remember that in something that makes us afraid. Sometimes
all we can do is, with Jesus, pray “your will be done.”
Even as we trust God, we must work for justice and truth so
that the Love of God can be seen in our lives and then in the world. You are my God, and I will thank you; you are my God, and I will exalt you rejoices Psalm 118. We know God works through our hands and feet as Teresa of Avila reminds us, therefore we have hope even when we feel
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Psalm
118:1-2, 19-29 (Liturgy of Palms) 1 Give thanks
to the Lord, for he is good; his mercy endures for ever. |
Psalm
31:9-16 (Palm Sunday Liturgy) 9 Have mercy on
me, O Lord, for I am in trouble; my eye is consumed with sorrow, and also my throat
and my belly. |
