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A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Rev Dr. Joel Edwards

Good Morning.

Today, Christians around the world are preparing for one of the most important celebrations in the calendar. For tomorrow is Palm Sunday.

In the New Testament all four Gospels tell the story of Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. Riding on a borrowed donkey, Jesus’ procession into the capital city is marked by jubilant crowds spreading palm leaves in his path. It’s a red-carpet moment in which the people are clearly convinced that they found a new king.

But there was nothing in Jesus’ response which reciprocated their expectations of him. He was not drawn by the adulation, for Jesus was more preoccupied by the prospects of crucifixion than exuberant praise.

As Oscar Romero the martyred Salvadorian Bishop once said, ‘First persecution tries to flatter, to tame; and if you bow to this flattery, then there is no need for persecution, you are already defeated.’

Palm Sunday, is a silver curtain between the weeks of personal sacrifices during Lent and the Easter Story itself. It’s the realisation that the credibility of the Christian story rests on the historicity of the events which will follow: injustice, infamy, vulnerability, torture, desertion and ultimately crucifixion. Our very darkest experiences have already been included in the Story.

Dear Lord , as we approach Holy Week, our hearts cry out, Hosanna! In this Holy Week, inspire us to serve those whose lives seek even deeper meaning. For Jesus’ sake.

Amen.

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