Dear Friends,
On Sunday we mark Palm Sunday, when two processions entered Jerusalem at the beginning of Passover: the Roman army led by Pilate and a humble procession welcoming Jesus.
Pilate entered on a stallion; Jesus entered on a donkey.
The people would have cowered before the occupying forces. The people crowded around Jesus, waving palms, welcoming him as their true king, a Messiah, shouting with joy and some desperation: “Hosanna!” or “Save us!”
The Roman army came to suppress any political uprisings. Jesus came to liberate people from the oppression of political and religious power.
Pilate represented the terrifying Law and Bureaucracy that rolls over the individuality and dignity of humans.
Jesus came with the Good News of Grace and Mercy and Love that God created all in God’s image and that even the outcast, the little, the average, the lost are worthy of love and dignity.
This Sunday, we place ourselves in the crowds crying out “Hosanna! Save us!” We join all those throughout history who have looked to follow the Prince of Peace, the One who calls us to stand together, stand with, one another, treating one another as God sees us: Beloved, Dignified, Human.
This Sunday we will do that as we do every year but with this addition: we will remember and honor and include those our government has tried to disappear. You can read more about this in the newsletter below, but I hope you will join the Palm Sunday procession after the 11 am service as we do what followers of Jesus have done for over 2,000 years—cry out to God for help, stand with those being cast out and harmed, even if we have no hope of worldly success. For Christians, the time is always right to do what is right, no matter the outcome, no matter the consequences.
Faithfully, Suzanne+