Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday: Jesus Comes to Liberate

Scriptural Basis

Matthew 21:1-11 (NRSV)

When Jesus and his disciples had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, `The Lord needs them.' And he will send them immediately." This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,

"Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,

"Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!"

When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, "Who is this?" The crowds were saying, "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee."

 Blog Reflection

Holy Week has arrived.  So has Jesus at the gates of the City.  Jesus rides in triumph on the back of a donkey, weaponless and looking with love on all who have awaited his coming.  

Yet Jesus comes in triumph not to glory, nor to take up a throne of gold with multiple servants and individuals at his command.  Jesus comes not with the threat of war, discrimination, more violence, anger and resentment. 

Jesus comes to liberate those who are without someone to love them.   Jesus comes as the one who will be betrayed by his closest friend.  Yet, Jesus will love him anyway.  Jesus comes to face those who hate him because he loves differently.  Jesus the liberator will be hated by those who want to use their religion as a reason to smooth over evil.  But Jesus will not consider that the most important thing.  Jesus' purpose is to liberate those who have no face or name because of indifference and exclusion.  Jesus will put a name and a face on the dead, by being raised on Easter Day.

This past week has been a major trial for Jason and I. In an attempt to call attention to how economic and political maneuvering can be destructive, those who were informed preferred to kill the messengers.   I won't write the details.  The details are not as important as the fact that we have been experiencing our own crucifixion in a sense, because we love a bit differently.  Even those within the LGBT communities within the most inclusive and welcoming places can be narrow minded, short sighted, submit themselves to injustice and defend it.  As difficult as our feelings have been during this experience, the important thing is to recognize that we are sharing with Christ this week in what seems like such a defeat.  But, like Jesus, the cross was not the end.  It was the means by which evil met it's match and death was swallowed up in the victory of the resurrection. 

I think for LGBT people, the poor, those marginalized because of race, gender, health status, wealth status, occupation, language and even behavior, the hardest part can be looking for people to trust in either the LGBT communities, churches, politicians and so forth, is the feeling of being betrayed more times than we can count.  

The politician who campaigns on marriage equality, safe schools and ending poverty, helping those who cannot work or get health care through no fault of their own, cannot focus on the issues because there are "more important things to take care of."  Like raising money to get re-elected.   Keeping their corporate donors happy.

Even the greatest of welcoming mainline churches, still have their "institutions to protect."  The word "welcome and come join us" means do not disturb our comfort zones. It is easier to allow injustice to control what they cannot do because of funds to keep them going, rather than face the injustice of money being bargained like Jesus was sold away for 30 pieces of silver.    

No matter how evil things are around us, no matter how rejected all of us are in one way or another, Jesus has come to tell us that everyone matters to God.   God rejects no one.  Not even those that Christianists suggest.

Unlike the image of Jesus presented by Christianists and those who seek to use the religion to justify scapegoating and prejudice, the image I have used for this Palm Sunday, is Jesus Christ the Liberator.

Jesus does not come as one like those who use violence and political/religious and social maneuvering to determine who else can be excluded.  Jesus comes as one like us, who experiences some kind of "otherness".   Jesus cares about where we are broken, left out on the side lines, and as if no one in the world gives a damn. 

Unlike what many evangelists preach, following Jesus does not set everything right as if we've bought the latest gadget.  Jesus does promise to be with us, as Jesus experiences our pain and anguish right along side us. 

That to me is what this Holy Week is about.   Jesus has come to meet us in the middle of our lowliness, to raise us up as children of God in the resurrection of the dead.  God does not give up, even when all seems lost.  God keeps on giving and loving and showing us the depth of God's appreciation and devotion to all of God's people. 

May we spend this Holy Week meditating on how Jesus liberates us in the midst of our most lowest points.  How does Jesus meet us and lead us to a sense of freedom, even when we don't feel free?   How does Jesus call on each of us to be a liberator?

Prayers

Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Palm Sunday, Book of Common Prayer, page 219).

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, page 815).