Sunday 24 March 2024

Not Simply "Palm Sunday Christians"

Shout and cheer, Daughter Zion!
    Raise your voice, Daughter Jerusalem!
Your king is coming!
    a good king who makes all things right,
    a humble king riding a donkey,
    a mere colt of a donkey.
I’ve had it with war—no more chariots in Ephraim,
    no more war horses in Jerusalem,
    no more swords and spears, bows and arrows.
He will offer peace to the nations,
    a peaceful rule worldwide,
    from the four winds to the seven seas.

These are the words of the prophet Zechariah - fulfilled as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the donkey. In my reading today, Delia says this
"I wonder if Jesus knew. as he looked at their demonstration of support and loyalty, that when the going got rough, they would turn and run? Our response today is to pray, not for human strength, but for the strength that comes from God; that through his strength we can learn to love him even when the going's rough; that we won't be simply 'Palm Sunday Christians' seeking all the comfortable aspects of religion Instead let us ...learn how to follow Jesus, imitating his humble submission to the Father in all the circumstances of our lives. Above all, let us learn to recognise Jesus not only in praise and worship, but also in the midst of our difficulties, sorrows, or frustrations; so many times in such circumstances, we tend to close the door on him, forgetting that the resurrection happened in the midst of chaos and confusion. Let us pray for grace to allow the Man of Sorrows to enter in and share all our sorrows....See now, your King comes to you.He is triumphant, he is victorious. 

Paul writes to Timothy and urges him to pray for those in authority, kings etc [1 Tim 2:1-3] So it is right for me to pray for Catherine, Princess of Wales right now [and her family]


In her message on Friday, Kate said: “At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.” Amen to that thought.

22 comments:

  1. Lovely Palm Sunday post Angela.

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  2. Amen - thank you for your encouraging words. God bless

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  3. Amen x
    Alison in Wales x

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  4. Thank you for this, I appreciate the phrase " the resurrection happened in the midst of chaos and confusion. " JanF

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    1. It's a good reminder of the state the disciples were in!

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    2. Yes, they must have been in a complete state of shock and disbelief. Kirstenm

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  5. Amen. Catriona

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  6. I think the majority of us will be saying a prayer of some sort or another for that lovely girl's recovery and shame on the press and the three unscrupulous members of the hospital staff who accessed her medical notes that it was necessary for her to have to sit in front of a TV camera to tell the nation (and the World) of her medical condition. Have we stooped so low that no thought is spared for her husband's or children's feelings, let alone her parents and her siblings? Her PR representatives got this so wrong.

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    1. I just watched the announcement and thought "she's the same age as my daughter" and wanted to protect her and her children from the intrusion and hurt. 🙏❤️

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  7. Amen and amen.

    Hugs!

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  8. We go through the entire Passion from one of the gospels at our Palm Sunday mass. It means that the congregation, at one point, must demand, "Crucify Him"! It is a hard reminder of how easily we can switch from Hosannas.
    My heart and prayers go out to Princess Catherine at this time, she is just a young Mum dealing with unpleasant, but with hope, effective treatment to eliminate the cancer from her body.

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  9. Going through the events of Holy Week in the service makes you think more deeply about what happened. And yes, may God bless and heal Catherine

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  10. I know I posted a comment, last night; maybe it did not go through. My best wishes to your Princess; may she receive the best care and make a full recovery.

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