As a preacher of 40-plus years, I still cringe before Palm Sunday. “What can I possibly think of that’s new and grabbing for these seasoned Christians?” Wrong. Folks would be disappointed if they didn’t hear the Old Story of the Triumphal Entry–and besides, there very well may be those in hearing distance who really hadn’t heard this before…or were drifting during previous years. So it’s right and good to revisit this optimistic story, especially in times of uncertainty about pandemics & world affairs.
We begin with the passage of Psalm 118: 19-29. This is chock-full of imagery, mainly that of a festal procession which begins Out There Someplace and winds its way to and into the Temple of Jerusalem. Don’t you love a labyrinth? There’s only one path, it isn’t a maze–yet the way is twisting and provides different views, some of them quite charming. The inner goal is entered only when the full scene is apprehended, and perhaps just when you’d given up reaching the Center. The Psalmist joyfully cries out, “Open to me the gates of righteousness (triumph), that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.” And a gate-keeper replies, “This IS the gate of the Lord; the righteous SHALL enter through it.” The righteous are those who’re square with God; in retrospect, all disciples have been squared with God in Jesus.
In FEASTING on the WORD, Samuel L. Adams reminds me that “the Book of Psalms affirms the steadfast loyalty of God, who has supported an undeserving humanity throughout the ages.” (B 2:147) We would do well to lift up this HESED/steadfast love; as a United Methodist, I’ve rejected the angry-god syndrome, yet there are many who picture Deity as a celestial bean-counter, checking off our bad days against our good ones. So we’re justified in claiming entrance to God-land with other pilgrims who realize that in the name of Jesus our broken-times have been put out with the recyclables! “O give thanks to the Lord, for [God] is good, for [God’s] steadfast love endures forever.”
Pilgrims at the time of Jesus flocked to Jerusalem at the time of Passover, and probably many formed processions upon their arrival. The Passover Entry under consideration was different, this year; Jesus came as an alternative to secular– and religious–power. Ever hopeful, the Jewish folk who smarted under Roman arrogance thought that this one was the Real Messiah, the Second David who would overthrow Roman privilege and establish once again the grandeur of Israel. Explore on through Holy Week, to see how Jesus offered something even better… The Palm Sunday story this year is that according to Mark 11:1-11, which tries to make theological sense out of the secular chanting. Some evidently did get it, as they shouted, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”
When I was five, may parents took me to see “The Wizard of Oz”: it scared the pants off me, especially the green witch and her flying monkeys! Slightly older now, I see the movie as a typical morality tale: Dorothy gathers her friends, they travel the yellow-brick road through many dangers and scary things, and finally arrive at the Emerald City. But the gatekeepers won’t let them in: Dorothy had to confront her fears by bringing them the witch’s broom and thus vanquishing Evil. After many twists and labyrinthian turns, Dorothy baptized her nemesis, who melted into dust… The Path to the Gates of Righteousness is different for most of us, yet the Pilgrims do make Progress (bit by bit) to the place where God is. But surprise! God’s walking with them/us all the way!
In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King
You’re invited to join me in being shaped by lessons assigned to the upcoming weekend: every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook, or at horacebrownking.com
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