April 2, 2023 – Palm Sunday

This week’s theme from the Lenten Study is “Blessed are those who mourn” and next week’s for Holy Week is “Blessed are those who are rejected.” Holy Week is a slow and steady march toward the cross. Because we know the end of the story (Easter! Resurrection! Hope! New Life!), it can be tempting to skip to the good part. But let us instead be like the women at the foot of the cross who never leave Christ’s side as he takes his last breath (John 19:25-30). Let us not rush into the glory of Easter, and instead accompany the one who walks with us. The rejected one who understands what it feels like to be abandoned by his friends, family, and community. And may we take a moment to learn from all those who rejected the Messiah. Who are we leaving locked out? Who are we rejecting because they don’t fit our expectations or we don’t understand their choices? Do we say I believe you Jesus, and yet we are not ready to wash the feet of another because it makes us uncomfortable? Search our hearts, oh Lord, and smooth any rough edges. Soften us for the ones on the margins for that is where the heart of your kingdom lies.