Thursday, April 2, 2009

Today’s text

Mark 11:7-11

Then they took the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on its back, and he mounted it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others greenery which they had cut in the fields. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others greenery which they had cut in the fields. And those who went in front and those who followed were all shouting, 'Hosanna! Blessed is he who is coming in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of David our father! Hosanna in the highest heavens!' He entered Jerusalem and went into the Temple; and when he had surveyed it all, as it was late by now, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

Reflection

You come, Lord Jesus, arriving in Jerusalem in the Lord’s name, mounted on a donkey, and people wave branches, not swords or shields.

There are no signets of power or dominating force. You do not ride high, on a horse decked in armor, and the palm fronds and tree branches they wave are not clubs or weapons but emblems of praise and ecstatic welcome.

They throw their cloaks in the dirt path before you, their lowliness conferring great dignity upon you. But it is their words that most draw me, Jesus.

‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’

You come in the name of the most high holy mystery, the hidden wonder, the eternal God. That’s what they say, and you do nothing to deny it or dissuade them.

You just come, mounted on a beast of burden, while happy crowds wave signs of peace, hailing a new kind of kingdom (and king) and hoping that it just might be true. They have seen quite enough of the dominating and the kinds of kingdoms they bring.

But there is nothing of dominating force about you. Even the beast you ride can’t hurt a fly. You ride close to the ground, where people live and hope and die. And you come in the Lord’s name.

The Lord, the most high God, whom you represent, my Jesus, is apparently not interested lording over us, the small and dusty, who live close to the ground as we work out our little lives.

You come in peace, welcoming the joyous gestures of eager hearts who have learned that fullness of life and joy are not produced by the mighty and self-important. They are not brought by power or domination or great accomplishment.

They are the gift of the One who comes gently, humbly, revealing the divine heart of peace and seeking the peace of our hearts.

Blessed are you, Jesus. You come in the name of the Lord.

Pr. David L. Miller