March 25, 2018

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord B Isaiah 50: 4-7; Philippians 2: 6-11; Mark 14: 1 15: 47 Today we have Mark’s drama introducing us to the holiest of weeks. Mark’s gospel only covers close to three years of Jesus life. He starts with the preaching of John the Baptist and follows with the baptism of Jesus. Mark uses the first ten chapters to cover the three years of the public teaching and ministry of Jesus. Then he devotes the last six chapters to the last week of Jesus’ life on earth. Thus we can see this week is was very, very special to Mark. In looking at Mark’s narrative today there are a number of questions he proposes from Jesus and from the other participants of Holy Week. What do they tell us? How would I respond to these questions? Would these questions lead me in my faith journey? Listen to the dialogue…Jesus’ words are in bold. - Not during the festival for fear that there may be a riot among the people. - Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil? It could have been sold for more than three hundred days’ wages and the money given to the poor. - Let her alone. Why do you make trouble for her? She has done a good thing for me. The poor you will always have with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them, but you will not always have me. She has done what she could. She has anticipated anointing my body for burial. Amen, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed to the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her. - Where do you want us to go and prepare for You to eat the Passover? - Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water. Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, The Teacher says, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples.Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there. - Amen I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me. - Surely it is not I? - One of the Twelve, the one who dips with me into the dish. For the Son of Man indeed goes, as is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born. - Take it; this is my body. - This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God. - All of you will have your faith shaken, for it is written I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be dispersed. But after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee. - Even though all should have their faith shaken, mine will not be. - Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times. - Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you. - Sit here while I pray. - My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch. - Abba, Father, all things are possible to You. Father take this cup away from Me. But not what I will but what You will. - Simon are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. - Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough the hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go. See my betrayer is at hand. - The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest Him and lead Him away securely. Rabbi. - Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs, to seize me? Day after day I was with you teaching in the temple area, yet you did not arrest Me; but that the Scriptures may be fulfilled. - We heard Him say’I will destroy this temple made with hands and within three days I will build another not made with hands. - Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you? Are you the Christ, the son of the Blessed One. - I am and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven. - What further need have we of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think? - Prophesy. - You too were with the Nazarene, Jesus. - I know neither know nor understand what you are talking about. - This man is one of them - Surely you are one of them; for you too are a Galilean. - I do not know this man about whom you are talking. - Before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times. - Are you the king of the Jews? - You say so. - Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse You of. - Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews? Then what do you want me to do with the man you call the king of the Jews? - Crucify Him. - Why? What evil has He done? Crucify Him. - Hail, King of the Jews! Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself by coming down from the cross. - He saved others; He cannot save Himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believer. Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachtani? My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? - Look He is calling Elijah. Wait let us see if Elijah comes to take Him down. - Truly this man was the Son of God! What do I see and feel in Mark’s account: there is a wealth of emotions : envy, fear, trust, sorrow, courage, pride coupled with some interesting human responses: threats, mockery, false accusations, compassion, denial, crying, discovery, strength, faith. More importantly where do I most likely find myself in the passion story: • Would I be Jesus’ friend who quickly leaves when it gets really hot and heavy? • Would I be part of the crowd that swings its vote with the loudness of the crowd? • Would I stand along the way and wonder why the Romans are so cruel in punishing their prisoners? Would I seek a corner to hide in, away from the passion procession, frightened that I might be connected to Jesus? • Would I be like Peter, quick to promise and quicker to run away? • Would I be like the soldiers who relished the task of inflicting punishment on those they don’t like? • Would I carry the cross for Jesus feeling sorry that I couldn’t do more? • Would I be like the criminal refusing to repent? • Would I just wonder why Jesus was crucified? • Would I wonder what happened to His family and friends? • Where would I be…who would I be? Sacred Space 2018 states: “Lord, help me walk with You on this dark journey. Teach me how to share in Your pain but also in Your faith.”