Hosanna and destiny

Each week at mass we pray these words aloud in song or prayer…

Hosanna, in the highest!

Today the words take on a deeper meaning as we celebrate Palm Sunday, remembering Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.

There are studies upon studies to reveal just what lengths humans will go to in order to

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But he was silent

 

But he was silent and answered nothing. – Mark 14:61

Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. – Mark 15:5

Today is Palm Sunday and we hear once again the Passion proclaimed in our churches. These two sentences struck me as I listened and prayed with the Gospel at mass on Saturday night.

Jesus’ silence says more than his words at these moments. And of course silence is probably one of the

Donkeys, dreams, destiny

Today I bring you this reworking of a post from 5 years ago… The Donkey is a poem by G.K. Chesterton. It is a reminder of the place in our lives of faith that are occupied by donkeys and dreams. What donkeys, you might ask? What dreams? Just think – donkey! Yes, a donkey – not the most noble of creatures in the kingdom, is it. Ah, the humility of the lowly animal that carried the Lord Jesus on its back, as the people flung and waved their palm branches, shouting, “Hosanna! Hosanna!”

Also our dreams, our individual dreams and our collective ones. What collective dreams, you wonder out loud. The ones we share as people of faith following Christ, the dreams we dream whether or not we are cognizant of them or not. We should try to remember the need to be mindful of, and listen to our dreams, no matter where they may lead us.

Remember

Mixed messages

Palm Sunday is here and once again we hear the familiar story of The Passion retold; we will hear it again on Friday. Today we also hear of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, with cries of “Hosanna! Hosanna!” It won’t be long

How will you enter?

Today we remember that Jesus’ entered Jerusalem to cries of  Hosanna, meaning  “save, we pray!” Hosanna is also interpreted to mean blessed as well. The messiah enters the holy city at the start of the festival of Passover to save and to bless – but not in any way that people might have imagined. We are also called to consider how we will enter into Jerusalem ourselves.

What are our hopes, dreams, beliefs, and prayers today? Do we cry out for Jesus to “save, we pray?” Do we cry out to be bless or be blessed?  Do we believe that Jesus will , or in fact, has already, saved us? Or are we just showing up because