Sermons for the Month
Processing in Peace, or in Power?
DATE: April 1st, 2007
SERVICE: Palm Sunday
TEXT: Luke 19:28-40“To all of you Saints here this morning, grace and peace to you from God our Father, from His Son, Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. AMEN I've been doing a lot of reading as I prepare sermons for today and next week. Anyone watching the process I go through might laugh. I sit in my over-stuffed chair at home and read through multiple articles and commentaries, most of which I've printed off various internet sites. Soon there's a pile of "keepers" on the hassock in front of me, and the floor is littered with the rejects, which soon become entertainment for the cats. You might ask why I go to all this trouble when I have at least 80 sermons, that I have written, in my files for Holy Week and Easter. It's because I've experienced the miracle of God's Word, which is that it's always possible to find something new in even the most familiar Bible passage. Perhaps it's a historical fact, or an understanding of how a word is used, or a cultural perspective or a spiritual insight. So, as we embark on our spiritual retreat this week (remember that in last week's sermon I mentioned my hope that we could see this Holy Week as a time for spiritual growth), let's open our hearts to what's new. For me, this week of discovering what's new began with a piece of history. Did you know that two processions entered Jerusalem at the beginning of the week of Passover the year that Jesus died? First, remember that at Passover the Jewish people were celebrating divine deliverance from the past Egyptian Empire while under the present Roman Empire, from whom they longed to be free. In the generation before Jesus' entered the holy city on that Sunday morning there had been a large and lethal riot that took place at Passover. So, at each Passover the Roman governor - it was Pilate in the time of Jesus - rode up to Jerusalem from the imperial capital Caesarea on the coast at the head of the troops who were coming to reinforce the Roman guard. This was a deterrent against another riot, and a preparation for possible trouble. (1) So, there was a procession of Roman power into Jerusalem from the west, while Jesus entered the city from the east. Anyone who was paying attention would have seen the contrast. Pilate was, no doubt, riding an impressive mount chosen for strength and spirit. But, Jesus was riding a donkey colt that had never been ridden. That, in itself, was a message. An animal that was to be used for sacred purposes had to be chosen from those that had not been used for ordinary labor. And, of course, the Prophet Zechariah had proclaimed that the king would come in humility, riding on the colt of a donkey. Jesus' mount, unlike Pilate's, was unsuitable for battle. It was not impressive and he did not even have a saddle, only his disciples' cloaks to cushion the ride. As Pilate rode into the city he was surrounded by the imperial cavalry in all their glory. Jesus, according to Luke, was surrounded by his disciples. The description is quieter than that which is offered in the other Gospels. Cloaks are spread on the road, but there is no mention of palm branches or shouts of hosanna. Instead, there is a cry of peace, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven." So it is that two processions enter the city from opposite sides. One is a procession of power and the other is a procession of peace. When we realize that, the question of Holy Week becomes clear. Which one - which way - will the people choose? Will power or peace be the answer to life's dilemmas, particularly for those who feel oppressed and out of control. The answer to that question for Jesus' time unfolds as Holy Week continues. For our purposes, though, it's interesting to note how the question has not changed over the centuries. Which procession will people choose now, the one of power or the one of peace? Sister Joan Chittister, a prolific writer who I had the privilege of meeting a few years ago, describes us as being on the road to Jerusalem. She says that on that road we are surrounded by situations that have solutions without solvers with the will to resolve them. Here is her list: "The old cannot afford their prescriptions. The young have no food. The middle-aged work two jobs and slip silently into poverty whatever their efforts. The globe turns warmer and more vulnerable day by day. Species disappear. The unborn are unwanted. The born are uncared for. Racism, sexism and homophobia destroy families and poison relationships. The mighty buy guns. The powerful pay fewer taxes. The national infrastructure slips into disrepair. Fundamentalist groups and governments everywhere seek to suppress opposition, to deny questions, to resist change, to block development. We are all on the road to Jerusalem again…." (2) On that road we see two processions. One would "solve" these problems - as well as more private ones - by exerting control, casting blame, creating fear, guilt, dependence, or denying that struggles even exist or mistakes have been made. That is the procession of power. It can be the way of governments, churches, corporations, and individuals. And the other would solve these problems by offering choices, accepting responsibility, proclaiming forgiveness, equality, love, acceptance and promoting and empowering change. That is the procession of peace. It also can be the way of governments, churches, corporations and individuals. Which procession will we join? Today we are proclaiming (have proclaimed) our choice to the world - including all those who drive (drove) by on Market Street. Our procession will be (was) led by a donkey, the cross and the children, all symbols of humility, sacrifice and trust. They announce our choice to follow the one who made peace by offering his life. We are in the Jesus procession, walking in humility that transforms and proclaiming his way of peace. Sister Joan is right, we are on the road to the Jerusalem, the new Jerusalem that will be born when Jesus returns. Do you remember these words of scripture? "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heave and the first earth had passed away…. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God…. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more: mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away." And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." (Revelation 21:1-5) And so our spiritual retreat begins with our feet firmly on the path of peace as we process toward a new and perfect peace. May it be born in us each day, and especially during this most holy of weeks. AMEN
(1) "Jesus' Final Week: Collision Course" by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan, "Christian Century", March 20, 2007, pgs. 27-31.
(2) "The Road to Jerusalem is Clear" by Joan Chittister, "The Catholic Reporter", March 30, 2001, www.findarticles.com