April 1, 2007
For years - the church celebrated Palm Sunday in exactly the same way every year.
It began with the re-enactment of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem (sometimes with a huge parade of people and banners and waving palm branches).
It moved into a dramatic reading of Jesus' betrayal, trial and crucifixion. And it ended with our solemn dismissal into holy week, where we would look at all of those events in detail.
But a few years ago - a new movement began.
We were asked why we did that. Why did we crucify Jesus on Palm Sunday only to return and re-enact the whole thing again on Good Friday.
Many people (myself included) saw that this made no sense ... At least in a chronological order. Our interpretation of the events of holy week was a bit schizophrenic when we did it this way. (not to mention the fact that attendance at
Good Friday services was abysmally low ~~ because who wants to go through the crucifixion twice in one week?)
And so there was a shift to separate the events of Palm Sunday from the events of the rest of the week. We would mark this day with the procession and the blessing and distribution of palms ... And would save the crucifixion for Good Friday.
And for the most part - it has been a good thing. Some parishes get carried away with this, and they bring in a donkey, or gather out in the parking lot and walk around the church (or around the block) before moving inside.
Thankfully this has not been our practice.
In fact - apart from a few balloons a couple of years ago, we have stayed rather traditional in our observance of this day. And that is fine with me - because sometimes I wonder just how seriously Jesus wants us to take Palm Sunday.
He has entered the city and found his followers and many others waving palm branches and shouting hosanna!!!
The gospel never tells us how Jesus reacted to this ... The movies and children's videos and various re-enactments of this event show him waving, acknowledging the crowd, and seriously being part of the whole thing.
And while that may be true ... None of it is supported by the gospels. In fact - if you re-read the gospels, the case can easily be made that Jesus saw Palm Sunday as a big joke. Because Jesus was never in favour of anyone who used their power to impress others.
Remember the time when his disciples were arguing about which one of them was the greatest ... He told them that he didn't want to associate with people who got hung up on hierarchy. He wasn't impressed by those who threw their political weight around (especially if it was to impress others), there are enough of those people around he would tell them.
What he wanted was people who used their power/influence to help others find their own power and abilities. He wasn't interested in the trappings of power simply to look important. In Jesus' mind, to really be important ~ ~ you had to use that power for good.
And so he comes to Jerusalem ... and finds himself as the center-piece of a parade. And what does he do??? He asks his disciples to go and get a donkey for him to ride on. In that day, people of real power rode strong horses, even chariots ... Not simple donkeys. Jesus' decision to join the parade on a donkey was one more statement against those in authority and positions of power (at least as most of the world saw power).
It would be like pulling the Queen through the streets of London on a little red wagon, instead of a horse-drawn carriage (or asking the Governor General to travel around Ottawa on a skateboard). It just wouldn't happen ... We believe that certain offices hold certain respect and require certain degrees of presentation. Jesus didn't think that a big horse (the equivalent of a bullet-proof limo) suited him.
He was satisfied with a simple wagon . the donkey
So what does all of this mean for us? What can we learn from Jesus on Palm Sunday? Because we like nice clothes and fancy cars, and expensive restaurants. We are impressed by the finer things in life, and DO treat people in positions of authority differently. And (if the truth be told) we like the trappings of power (when they come to us). They make us feel important ...
But do they really??
Or do they just make us feel better than the person who
does not have what we have. Are those symbols and trappings of authority just one more way for us to be better than others?
Jesus asks for a donkey. And he says to his disciples
"this is what i think about authority. I am going to ride this. I will show you that the real power is people power.
Power that lifts others up (instead of beating them down) power that affirms and celebrates them and their abilities (and doesn't ridicule them or promote our own superiority).
This is what I am about ....
This is what you should be about !!!"
And when we look to our own lives, for ways in which we can be like Jesus in that sense, we find that there are many ways to do so. Ways which we don't always think of because they are so, well, ordinary. And hardly what our traditional teachings would hold up as Christ-like ...
- the child who shares her sandwich with someone who does not have one
- parents who selflessly give of their time and energy and resources for their children
- the person who calls an elderly friend or a neighbour to make sure they are okay and to see if they need anything.
These are simple and everyday events - so simple that many wouldn't give it a second thought ... But they are what living for others is all about.
As we journeyed through Lent (as a community and as individuals) our goal was to simplify things. To weed out the distractions and the superficial, so that we could focus on only the important things.
Today we stand facing holy week. Preparing to observe the final days of Jesus, the one who came to use power (not abuse it). The one who turned to the cross (which was the ultimate symbol of abuse of power) and turned it into an expression of love.
But before any of this comes about, He climbs onto a donkey , and reminds us that our focus should stay on what is truly important, and not on the parades that come in and out of our lives.
That is the message he gives us - on the eve of his most challenging week.
And as a variety of thoughts and emotions (maybe even some doubt) flood his soul. He turns to us (his followers) and tells us: stay focused on your call to serve others.
When all the trials and temptations and distractions come your way, don't forget what you are TRULY here for.
Stay focused ..... Don't ever give up.
