Sunday, April 13th, "Blessed is the One Who Comes"

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,
 ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!
   Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 
Hosanna in the highest heaven!’
~ Matthew 21: 6-11

Breath prayer:  “Blessed is the One”  “who comes”

     As this Lenten journey enters into Jerusalem and this Holy Week begins, I am mindful of the sounds of the procession heard long ago on Palm Sunday.  We are told that Jesus entered on the back of a donkey and many threw down their coats and palm branches.  They were shouting and singing loud Hosannas.

         He had come back.

         Jesus returned to Jerusalem with a loving and compassionate heart.  Tensions ran high all around him.  Listening closely, he might have heard the Hosannas sung a little too loudly.  These shouts also held their political hopes and dreams.  He was coming to Jerusalem to celebrate the Holy Days with his friends.  He was returning to share the table and hear again the stories remembered.  His was a faithful son returning to the Holy City.

         He brought with him his stories of the road.  These stories he’d told again and again to all who would listen, “Love the Lord your God;” “Love your neighbor as yourself;” “Seek first God’s righteousness and everything will be given you.”

         Those who had ears heard.


Prayer: Hosanna’s from our hearts to the One who will come and change darkness to light, fear into love. Lead us, O Holy One and we will follow.  Amen.

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