Palm Sunday

We have to believe, Holy One, that the crowd lining the streets so long ago as Jesus entered Jerusalem was not so different than us. 

We have to believe they were exhausted by those in authority, which is why they weren’t across town at the parade led by the Empire. We, too, are looking for another way.

We have to believe that they, like us, were overwhelmed by the relentless news of a world soaked in violence, war-torn, and weary. They needed someone to give them Good News, and so do we.

We definitely know that they, like us, were dealing with other really hard circumstances. They, too were aging, caregiving, parenting, menopausing, teenaging, fighting with family, building trust, recovering, relapsing, balancing, and generally stumbling about while trying to do their best.

And still, they showed up with palm branches. They showed up tired, confused, and without complete understanding. They showed up after their shift had ended, on their own, with kids in tow, with the clothes on their back, but most importantly, with hope in their heart. 

We are still talking about it today.

May this story stoke the flame deep within us, Holy One, that it might grow strong enough to chase away the shadows and remind us that we are part of a movement trying to make peace within and around us. 

Help us live in such a way that our children tell a story like this one about us - that we showed up even when it was hard, even when there wasn’t a clear way forward, even when we had reasons to stay home. Grant us glimpses of what can be, glimpses of what our ancestors of faith must have seen in themselves and in the community-builder Kingdom-bringer who rode into town on a donkey so many years ago.
We pray in the name of hope itself,
Amen.
 Grace and peace,

Anita Sorenson
Pastor for Spiritual Formation