WHERE DO WE SIT?
As we reach the sixth and final Sunday of Lent our own Lenten journey closely follows that of Jesus as he prepares us for the great liturgies of the Easter Tridium. Palm Sunday is a dress rehearsal taking us from the exaltation and excitement of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on the donkey, then to the upper room and the marking of the Passover with his friends, from there to Gethsemane and the long trek to Calvary.
We can recognise the enthusiasm and joy from the crowds that line Jesus’s journey into Jerusalem. People wave palms and shout their encouragement and excitement that came with the arrival of this prophet. There is hope for the future that they fervently wish to be different from their past. How quickly this excitement and hope disappeared as a few days later the people change their cries of ‘Hosanna’ to ‘Crucify him’.
We may have been part of our own street processions. In our culture such processions are more often for sporting heroes, winners of medals and trophies. Our gathering together and shouts of support reflect our desire to share the joy of their success. But we can be fair weather supporters and losses on the sports field can quickly turn to recriminations and calls for resignations for the same teams when their fortunes change.
Where do we sit during the Holy Week. Are we in the crowd on Palm Sunday enjoying the excitement of the new prophet? And where will we be by the end of the week with Jesus arrested and the authorities taking control. Would we have the courage to stand up for Jesus in the face of Pontius Pilate? The glory of the Resurrection is that through the death of Jesus our weaknesses and frailties, our propensity to be fair weather supporters of Jesus is washed away and we have the opportunity to grow to be stronger people of faith.
May this Easter bring each one of us to a deeper faith in the Risen Christ.
God Bless
Jane Kelly
Liturgy Committee Chair
