Spoiler alert: this morning’s blog will not be about rock music, nor will it have to do with Mick Jagger & Co. It WILL be about Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, about the expectant crowd who cheered the new Messiah, and about Jesus’ oneness with the Center of the Universe, even the stones which lined the road and defined the Temple. Since it’s Palm Sunday, many congregations will also add the entire Passion Story. This week is a fulfillment of the conflict that goes on even today: that of divinity and trueness running into the brick wall of Business as Usual.
The prologue is PSALM 118:19-29: a Song of Ascents, to be sung while climbing Mt. Zion and approaching the Temple. “The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone…. blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” The “builders”–profit, temporary power, not rocking the boat–continue to reject the ways of peace, justice and righteousness. Who would base a society on that?? And yet, the “blocks of the Temple” are scattered in each generation, shouting out for God’s reconstruction, making perfection out of the imperfect… “God indeed works through materials that many prudent architects of society would reject.” (Mark W.Stamm, FEASTING on the WORD, C 2:151)
The Gospel is the familiar story as remembered by LUKE 19:28-40. This story contains many significant parts which inform our approach to Holy Week; today I’d like to focus on the very end, where Jesus remarked, “I tell you, if these [disciples] were silent, the stones would shout out.” (see Habakkuk 2:11) The Powers and Principalities were trying to shush those who recognized the Prince of Peace, the harbinger of justice and righteousness. Governments and businesses still try to “win” at all costs–Jesus rides through them all. Some will try to silence this Good News–and may, for a while–but God’s Messenger(s) will triumph and claim the foundations of the Kingdom.
One day it’s warm & sunny, the next it’s cold & rainy. Spiritually, too. But have patience. Raise a loud cry, for God is yet in charge! With Zephaniah (3:14) we “Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel!…. the Lord your God is in your midst!”
In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King
Every Tuesday we meet with Scripture to be read on the upcoming weekend; please join us at horacebrownking.com
My Blog 
Leave a comment