The Temperature is Rising

Monday, April 2, 2007 -- Holy Week

"Morning Reflections" is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117
An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (p. 956)
Psalms 51:1-18 (19-20) (morning) 69:1-23 (evening)
Jeremiah 12:1-16
Philippians 3:1-14
John 12:9-19

We begin Holy Week.

Today for our reading in John's Gospel we hear again of the triumphal entry Jesus into Jerusalem. His choice of entering the holy city riding on a donkey was a prophetic act. In antiquity gods and kings traditionally would travel writing on a donkey. The prophet Zechariah wrote centuries earlier of the coming of a king who would revive the dynasty of David: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." The crowd recognizes Jesus' meaning. They shout "Hosanna!", meaning "Save us!" They throw palm branches, a symbol of national triumph and victory.

This demonstration would have been recognized as a political demonstration with messianic overtones announcing the entry of a new king of Israel. It is guaranteed to stir up Zionist passions for a military rebellion and anxiety from the collaborating Jewish authorities who wish not to provoke the Romans. The temperature is increasing.

It is pretty hot in the 12th chapter of Jeremiah as well. He begins with a complaint to God. He starts acknowledging a word of futility: "You will be in the right, O Lord, when I lay charges against you; but let me put my case to you." His complaint? "Why does the way of the guilty prosper? Why do all who are treacherous drive?" The prophet accuses God of planting them like healthy crops. God answers Jeremiah saying it will only get worse. Even his family will betray him. God has "forsaken my house, I have abandoned my heritage; I have given the beloved of my heart into the hands of her enemies."

And we find Paul in the middle of a conflict with "dogs, ...evil workers, ...those who mutilate the flesh!" But he moves from his accusations into a word of incurring change self-definition. "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead."

His word is a good spirit for us as we enter into Holy Week. We feel the building anxiety of danger and conflict as Jesus has entered into Jerusalem. We enter with him. We want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection. We also recognize that resurrection comes out of suffering and death. This week we will share in the way of the cross, walking with Jesus into suffering and death. It is important practice. This is how we will know what to do when we face our own suffering and death. This is how we will remember that Christ is with us when things get hot. This is how we will have courage and trust in resurrection.

Lowell
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The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

See our Web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

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