Palm Sunday

Our readings for Palm Sunday are:

1. Isaiah 50: 4-7
2. Psalms 22: 8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
3. Philippians 2: 6-11
4. Mark 14:1-15:47

• Talk is cheap
• We have all known people who talk a good game, but who have no follow through.
• What are some issues that are important to you?
• What have you been doing to bring about change in those areas?
• Has that work of your been enough?  For you?  For those that you're trying to help?  For God?

• <your name here> the evangelist
• Who in your circle of friends/relatives wants to be happier?
• Do you feel that a stronger/deeper relationship with Jesus would help them?
• Why don't you say so?

• Disordered attachments and letting go
• Jesus strives always to help us gain our freedom.  Freedom from sin, in all its forms, includes freedom from attachment to anything that God gives us - respect from our peers, the things of this world, our ancestors, all these and more can become a liability if we get too attached to them.
• What are you most attached to?
• If God called on you to give that up, so that you could draw closer to Him, what would be your reaction?
• How can you be better prepared to make that decision in a generous way?

• Random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty
• We value efficiency, effectiveness, success.  Who could argue with that?  When we take action, speak up, seek change, we want to make sure that our efforts will make a difference, that they are worthwhile.  But is that really important to God?
• Has there ever been a person in your life that was in real need.  Maybe they had lost their job, their investments suddenly tanked, they had a health crisis, ...  How did that need make you feel?
• Did you get closer to them in the midst of that crisis?
• What made that time difficult/awkward/uncomfortable for you?
• What made that time difficult/awkward/uncomfortable for them?
• Do you think that it made any difference that Joseph gave Jesus his tomb, that Simon helped Jesus carry His cross, that Veronica wiped Jesus' face, that Peter tried so hard to be faithful to the very end?

• Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. What am I willing to give up for the pearl of great price that God is offering me today?
2. Who needs to hear about God's love from me?
3. What do I need to give up?
4. Am I willing to give, even it it looks like a lost cause?

All Alone and Yet, All One

The same sun that warmed my back along the dusty roads of Judea and Galilee,

Now parches me with thirst as I crouch here on this humble instrument of torture.

Those crowds of hopeful sons of Abraham who joyfully welcomed me to Jerusalem,

Now take comfort knowing that they finally can tell who and what I am: a hoodlum.

The very wood of this instrument of torture was once a great shade tree, a solace.

But it's fiber has been tormented into this purpose, yet I still feel the sapling within.

I know that the heart of Abraham still beats within the breast of Gods people,

Here and everywhere.  All of God's children share that heritage of hope and joy.

This sun that smites me now with its light and heat, danced when my Father,

Looking over all creation, rejoiced in what He had made, and counted it very good.

And so I hang here, melting in agony, to bring my Father's creation full circle

That His plants, animals, and the cosmos, may once again find peace in purpose.

And find purpose in Him.

Shalom!