Pathway into Lent

          According to Wikipedia, “the Last Supper is the final meal that, in the Gospel accounts, Jesus shared with his apostles in Jerusalem before his crucifixion.^[2] The Last Supper is commemorated by Christians especially on Holy Thursday.^[3] The Last Supper provides the scriptural basis for the Eucharist, also known as “Holy Communion” or “The Lord’s Supper”.^[4]

          Wikipedia also tells us, “The First Epistle to the Corinthians contains the earliest known mention of the Last Supper. The four canonical gospels state that the Last Supper took place in the week of Passover, days after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and before Jesus was crucified on Good Friday.^[5][6] During the meal, Jesus predicts his betrayal by one of the apostles present, and foretells that before the next morning, Peter will thrice deny knowing him.^[5][6]”

           That is a lot to absorb.  In a few days we will be observing Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday, or Sheer Thursday.   In my mind it is a most sacred time when Jesus honored the Jewish observance of Passover, spending it with His followers, those He loved, teaching them, loving them, bringing a new teaching and observances, such as Holy Communion, The Lord’s Supper.  Jesus was always bringing in the new.  Some noticed.  Some did not.  If we think back to the jubilant entry into Jerusalem, just days before, He chose, specifically, to ride an unbroken donkey, one which had not been ridden before, had not been broken before.  “The Gospel of John tells of Jesus washing the feet of the apostles, giving the new commandment “to love one another as I have loved you,” and has a detailed farewell discourse by Jesus, calling the apostles who follow his teachings “friends and not servants,” as he prepares them for his departure” (Wikipedia).  He was doing something new.  As His followers gathered in an upper room to celebrate Passover, He was introducing something new.  And in his predictions of betrayal not once but twice before morning, He served notice of something new about to happen.  In the midst of the old, He was bringing something new, teaching something new, showing unity, oneness, humility, a new way, predicting that which was to come, and doing so as He showed us it is possible to honor the old ways while embracing the new.

                    Holy Thursday and its history might mean something different to you, and that is as it should be, each of us honoring that which is holy to us, while opening our heart to that which is new, that which we hear from The Still Small Voice within, that which is delivered in signs, messages, visions, dreams, and apparitions.  The Holy Spirit is working within each of us to bring us to a place of wisdom.  Let us hear and embrace the messages sent to us from God, through The Holy Spirit, living within each of us.  Let us honor that which is of ancient times, without fearing that which is new, that which is yet to come.

           I share my thoughts to encourage you to ponder your own, making this sacred time one in which we remember and commemorate, with open hearts, allowing our spirits and souls to lift us up from the mundane into the divine.

           Thank you so much for walking this path with me.  Ash Wednesday began many weeks ago, in February, and now here we in the final week of Lent, just days before the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.  Having the opportunity to share with you has made this season unique for me, special in so many ways.  I hope it has brought you a deeper meaning of, and love for, the season of Lent.

The reading I have chosen today is from Matthew 9:17

The Reading

March 26, 2024

“Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”  Matthew 9:17

Pathway into Lent

          “The date of the first observance of Palm Sunday is uncertain. A detailed description of a palm processional celebration was recorded as early as the 4th century in Jerusalem. The ceremony was not introduced into the West until much later in the 9th century.” (Learn Religions, Website)  We all know the story, how Jesus sent disciples ahead to go into the village and ask for an unbroken donkey.  And they did.  Cloaks were placed on the donkey, and Jesus climbed upon and rode, making his entrance into Jerusalem, the donkey walking over palm branches, placed by people calling out “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matthew 21:9, NIV)  And so it was.  We know the story.

          There are many reasons why it is good to begin Holy Week with Palm Sunday.  There is such history with which to sit, ponder, and pray.  But for me, this has always been a time of teaching.  The people crying out “Hosanna” one day would soon be the people crying out “Crucify him.”  The lesson, for me, was that those who sing your praise one day, might be the ones who walk away the next.  And even when a heart says one thing, social scrutiny might lead others to go another way.  I do not say this to suggest that we be skeptical, untrusting, or judgmental.  I say this so we might place our trust in God, and God alone.  Of course we want people to like us, love us, support us, but that does not always happen.  So, the safety net is the lap of God.  It might be difficult to stand up for what you believe when it is not popular, when those around you might taunt you for your belief, when even family and friends back away, leaving you standing alone.  But stand we can and will when we know God is standing with us. 

          By all means accept congratulations and applause for accomplishments but place your trust in God.  Rise-up in glory and speak the words of God.  Do not be afraid, for we are not alone.  See yourself riding upon a donkey, crowds of people calling your name, as you make your way into a city, following what is yours to do.  Sit with that, envision that, in prayer.  Today I ask for The Holy Spirit to fill us and guide us to the truth of that triumphal entry so many years ago.  I ask for direction and wisdom so that we might not count so much on what others say, but on what we are guided to do, so that in the absence of supporting voices of human beings we might be still and hear the creation of God, all of nature, singing, supporting, loving our every word, every move.

Thank you for walking with me on a journey into Lent.  Peace be with you as we enter Holy Week.

The reading I have chosen today is from Luke 19:39-40

The Reading

March 24, 2024

“Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” ⁴⁰ He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”  Luke 19:39-40