Prayer (ROOTS p19 24-30 March 2024)
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, King of kings
Your love for us transforms and startles us
Your gift to us amazes and bewilders us
Your life given for us brings us to our knees
Your abundance reveals our poverty
Your presence comforts and upholds us
Lord, we adore you like no other.
Amen
The crowds that gathered around Jesus as he came into Jerusalem for the Passover would have been familiar with the Psalms. .Psalm 118 v26 says : Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD!
These words were used to welcome pilgrim caravans as they came into Jerusalem to present thank-offerings in the temple.
The words of blessing are an assurance that the pilgrims’ offerings would be acceptable to God. The crowds use these words to welcome the Messiah, as coming in the name of the Lord, (Matthew 21:9) and by Jesus (Matthew 23:39).as he warned Jerusalem of what was to come.
Whenever we meet someone, I wonder in what ways we bless them?
Do we really notice how other people bless us? maybe with a kind word, a smile or helpful hand ... or in another way..?
If we remember that each of us is made in God’s image, then, what joyful words of welcome and actions of generous acceptance do we bring to our encounters each day?
On the first Palm Sunday (Mark 11: 1-11), Jesus knew what pain and suffering lay ahead. Jesus knew that the crowds who shouted HOSANNA! would soon be turned by the authorities; he knew his disciples would be scattered through fear and go into hiding.
Although we may now know there is an amazing victory beyond the cross, let us still ourselves in this moment to hold our Palms as a reminder of Jesus’ lowly and lonely journey to the Cross. Will you follow?