Palm/Passion Sunday

March 20, 2016

St. Luke 19:28-40 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Commentary:  John the Baptizer preaches to the people that God can 'make sons of Abraham from these stones.'  Jesus declares that 'anyone without sin should cast the first stone.'  And as he enters Jerusalem, that if the people are silenced 'these stones will shout.'
Is this not the foreshadowing of the stone rolled away on Easter morn? 

Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

²⁸ After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

²⁹ When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, ³⁰ saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. ³¹ If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’” ³² So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. ³³ As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” ³⁴ They said, “The Lord needs it.” ³⁵ Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. ³⁶ As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. ³⁷ As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, ³⁸ saying,

“Blessed is the king
    who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven,
    and glory in the highest heaven!”

³⁹ Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” ⁴⁰ He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”

Palm/Passion Sunday

March 20, 2015

Stoned

Stones rose toward a sinful woman

shout repentance through the hills:

“Cast the first stone if you are sinless

 ever-lawful doing God’s will.”

Stones lay on the ground

now silent as the crowd leaves her behind.

Christ embraces and now faces

her deep grief that once did bind.

Silent stones outside Jerusalem

as the humble servant Lord

enters at the gate of Salem

shouts of “Hosanna!” from the crowd.

“Silence!” Shout the religious leaders:

“This Prophet is not, cannot be,

the Messiah that we long for

he deserves no such litany.”

“Stones will raise their voices,” Christ cries.

“If you mute the joyful crowd,

stones will shout no longer silent

voices strong, rejoicing loud.”

And so it is and ever shall be

silent stone in the shadow of the Tree

rolled away on that first morning

voicing volumes, setting free.

A Poem a Sunday – March 14, 2015 – kennstorck@gmail.com