Date: 04 Apr 2000
Time: 22:01:01
testing
Date: 16 Apr 2000
Time: 01:01:23
Two defining moments: 1) It was all he and his fans had hoped for. He had trained for years. He had visualized, prayed, hoped, and prepared. Some how when the game was on the line he out ran the defender, got open, lept higher than he thought he could and caught the winning touchdown pass. When they interviewed him after the game he thanked God for his amazing talent and the opportunity to be in the big game. Then he shouted, "We're the champions baby! We're number one!" All his fans somehow felt like winners, even as he brushed by them on his way to Disneyworld after they had waited so long for an autograph or a glimpse. 2) It wasn't what he wanted or what his fans had hoped for at all but it was what he had prepared for all his life. He was arrested and dragged off by a crowd of soldiers and religious folks. He was questioned and when the lies were about to fall apart he told the truth and was convicted. He was mocked, spit on, stripped, beaten, laughed at, crucified. After it was over his friends, dumbfounded, buried him in a borrowed tomb. All his fans felt like losers. But loved. They knew (they being the hurt, lost, oppressed, beaten down, spit on, unloved, sinful, despairing, hungry, sick, aching, searching) he had come for them. Hunter in SC
Date: 4/7/2003
Time: 6:28:34 AM
Sometimes we may just need to let scripture speak for itself. This gospel lesson means a lot more to me if I read the longer version. Too often we know only John's passion story - when Mark's is so much more real and honest and dramatic and matter-of-fact. I am going to tell the congregation a story - this story - next Sunday, and say as little myself as I can. After all, anything I might say would get in the way of the Good News, here!
By the way, when we do read John's version of Jesus' passion on Maundy Thursday, I've found several parishioners to help me read it like a radio play (our sanctuary is too small to actually act it out).
--Ponderin' Pastor in IL
Date: 4/7/2003
Time: 11:58:39 AM
Ponderin'
Are you going to "tell" this story, or are you going to give it a dramatic reading of the scripture? I'd love to tell it but can't conceive remembering this much scripture (even moreso if beginning at Mark 14:1) . . .
dave in ohio
Date: 4/7/2003
Time: 4:48:28 PM
I am still in KS (and thus still "nonparochial" -- that lovely church word meaning "unemployed")... so I won't be making any liturgical or homiletic decisions this week.
However, for many past years I've had the congregation do this as a dramatic reading (using the longer option) with our deacon reading the Evangelist's narrative and various people taking the parts when the "characters" speak. The congregation always gets the parts of the crowd, the soldiers, and the centurion. At v. 37 there is a long silence.... then the reading is concluded. Instead of a sermon, I simply invite the congregation to meditate in the hearts on what we have heard and read and we have another long time of liturgical silence. (Sometimes our keyboardist would softly play something like "Were You There" during the meditation time.)
Eric in KS
At the point
Date: 4/8/2003
Time: 11:23:07 AM
The crowd made a choice, just like we do. Choices are what dricves and determines our lives. I wonder what choices I have made already that have shaped who I am? Divorce, ministry, where I serve? Maybe I am too much or too little like the crowd.
PM in KS
Date: 4/8/2003
Time: 3:40:35 PM
The phone rings... "Hello."
"Father? This is ____ from St. Swithin's. I'm calling to let you know that it was a difficult decision, but we have decided to call the other candidate."
Sinking feeling -- but don't deal with it now! -- exchange pleasantries. Wish them well, prayers for a successful ministry. They just don't get it.
"Are you the king of the Jews?" They just didn't get it.
My former spiritual director always reminded me how Jesus was treated -- "Why do you expect anything different?" he would ask.
Why, indeed!
Blessings, Eric (still unemployed) in KS
Date: 4/8/2003
Time: 8:07:52 PM
Well... two phone calls in one day. The second offering me a call -- which I accepted. In a few months time, I will be "Eric in OH"
Life is interesting (as the Chinese curse would put it).
Eric soon to leave KS.
Date: 4/8/2003
Time: 8:14:23 PM
Whereabouts in Ohio, Eric?
Dave K. in Ohio <><
Date: 4/8/2003
Time: 9:40:00 PM
Dave - Medina. Eric
Date: 4/9/2003
Time: 4:04:35 AM
Dear Erick, I grew up in Medina. At this point it is most likely still pretty affluent and many commute from there into Cleveland and Akron. It does have a nice town square. And it used to have an icecream parlor there on the square. Good luck in your new place of ministry.
dchinks
Date: 4/10/2003
Time: 12:42:14 PM
We are reading the full passage in my congregation (14:1-15:47) and am wondering after this if a sermon is necessary. Part of me feels a message, perhaps abbreviated, is necessary because of the contrast with how the service started with the Processional Gospel and this passage ends in the tomb. It seems that Palm Sunday is heavily influenced with rejoicing and Hosanna's - but then the reality of the Gospel reading gets passed over.
Also, I couldn't help but wonder yesterday as I saw the jubilant and cheering crowds in Baghdad how that crowd compared with the crowd cheering Jesus on. Back in the U.S., the callers to a radio call-in shows I listened to last night sounded so triumphant and many are looking to the next challenge. Perhaps our jubilation and trust in our success needs to be tempered with the reality of the suffering Christ? Our salvation doesn't come from our military might destroying its opposition, but from one who did not fight back and one who in the end didn't win the crowds over but was sentenced to death by them.
Peace and blessings to you all. Nathan in MA
Date: 4/11/2003
Time: 6:20:10 AM
Nathan: In reply to your note -- see my comment under Mark 11:1-11.
Blessings, Eric in KS (for the time being)
Date: 4/12/2003
Time: 7:17:13 AM
Nathan -- at my current congregation I preach a short sermon on Palm/Passion Sunday. However, in my previous parish, I used to only do a children's sermon, not a conventional one. I think on the whole that's a better solution. -- Mike in Maryland
Date: 4/12/2003
Time: 10:34:55 AM
Eric,
I've been just a silent reader, but have been inspired by you on many occasions. When I read you were offered a call, I was elated for you.
It is interesting that you received a call of rejection before the call of offer. I cannot help but to think God was trying to get your attention there... What was he saying to you, Eric? That He has a plan for your life?
How often do we forget that simple truth. But in today's readings, we see Jesus being steadfast... He knew His Father's Will, and He was willing to go through that suffering. And what awaited Him on the other side of crucifixion was Resurrection. He was to be glorified... But only after following the Father's Will.
Congratulations Eric! May God bless your new ministry.
Sojourner
Date: 4/12/2003
Time: 5:35:59 PM
I Waas going to preach on the palms, but God told me to preach on the passion. So, I am , with the aid of my litutgist, will Tell about the Stations of the Cross... Yeah, it's different passages than this. But, God led me to this... This Sunday Stations of the cross, Maunday Thursday-Doing something called Leesons from a towel and Tenebrae Service Using the John Passage lighting 6 candles to extinguish and the Poem The Sacrifice... Got my Sunrise too...God ordered it altogether tied in up in a bow... Lady Preacher of Ohio