Palm Sunday

Breaking of a Palm Leaf for the Entry into Jerusalem
1304-1306 in Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, Italy
By Giotto (1267-1337)

Would you or I lay a palm or a cloak down for Jesus and the crowds to walk on into Jerusalem?

During Lent, I've been surprised by the reflections I received in our weekly Lectio Divina group, which always meditates upon scripture from the next Sunday's lectionary. As I visualized "following" Jesus, I keep getting the thoughts like: "Who are you really? What do I know about you? Maybe I'll go back home."

This past Wednesday, we prayed with Mark 11:7-9:

11:7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it.

11:8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields.

11:9 Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!

With this meditation, I found myself doubting myself seriously--Could I follow all the way to the cross? This caused me to realize that in all these other Lectio sessions, I thought I was questioning who Jesus was, but in reality, I was wondering if I was courageous enough to go with him, since the ending of his story are ingrained within me.

But in each reading, that is not part of the story yet! I believe that Jesus was not obsessing on the inevitable fate of prophets, but was living in union with the Father in each moment as it came.

The enouraging message I was given in prayer is that the moment is possible--each moment is here with the possibility of life and love given. When I look to the past or the future in fear or even anticipation, I am losing this present gift and am not even "living" right now.

This is not a new lesson or a profound truth that will be new to anyone else--it's a renewal of my awareness. It is too easy to be in the fear the future, even though I know the eventual outcome of resurrection. I fear the agony of the intervening crucifixion! It takes one step at a time; one step is always possible, no matter how tiny.

So my invitation is to travel with Jesus one step at a time.

Diane offers a deeper reflection in her sermon for today: "Which Procession are you in?"

That's another good question to ask!