Weekly Liturgy : March 23-29
- Cory
- Mar 23
- 4 min read
Matthew 21:1-11
NIV Translation
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
“Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
REFLECTION
from Cory
Jesus is entering Jerusalem shortly before his crucifixion, during the season of the Passover. Jerusalem is the seat of religious, political, and economic power. Sort of like if Washington DC, New York, and Rome were all one city.
While Jesus is entering the city from the east, Pontius Pilate, ruler of the region, is likely entering from the west. Pilate’s entrance was a different type of procession, a military parade, meant to project his power, with all of the pomp and circumstance to remind the people that might makes right.
The timing of Pilate’s parade, coinciding with the Passover, is likely no mistake. The Passover was a holiday season where the Jews celebrated their deliverance from Egyptian rule. Passover was the perfect time for Jewish zealots to stir up animosity against their new ruler. Pilat’s military procession could be heard coming from miles away. The message he wanted to send to the Jews was clear. ‘Don’t even think about it! Keep everything under control, or Rome will crush you!’”
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Jesus enters riding on a donkey (or colt, or both). There is also a parade for Jesus, albeit a much different one. It is a counter-procession where Jesus offers the people a different vision for what a kingdom could be, should be. Instead of war horses and weapons, Jesus rides in on humility and love.
Jesus enters through the Sheep Gate, where people who were coming to make a sacrifice at the temple would have brought their animals.
If we listen, we can hear the words of John the Baptist echoing as Jesus rides through the gate on a donkey:
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.”
PRACTICE:
Outward Mindset Application
This week, be curious with someone or some group that you disagree with.
Non-Violent Communication Question of the Week
When you are in a conflict with someone, what does your posture communicate? Are you entering conflict like Pilate, with a procession meant to demonstrate that you are in the right? Or do you enter like Jesus, with humility, a desire to serve, a sense of curiosity?
Pathway Toward Center
Tradition (drawing near to God by engaging ritual and symbol):
The following prayer comes from the first century Syrian Clementine Liturgy. Try starting each day with it, and remember that followers of Jesus prayed these same words 2000 years ago:
“O God,
“Who is the unsearchable abyss of peace, the ineffable sea of love, the fountain of blessings, and the bestower of affection, Who sends peace to those that receive it;
“Open to us this day the sea of your love, and water us with the overflowing streams from the riches of your grace. Make us children of quietness, and heirs of peace. Light in us the fire of your love; sow in us your fear; strengthen our weakness by your power; bind us closely to you and to each other in an unbreakable bond of unity; for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Questions for Reflection
Will the future that we want be created through wars and violence, through coercive power, through religious pomp, or through humility, love, and service?
“Liturgy” refers to the habits and practices humans use to form community around shared values and meaning. At Church at the Park, we desire to be a community of practice, becoming people who see the world through the eyes of the marginalized, making meaning through the lens of pain and suffering, and committing ourselves to non-violence in a wounded world. This weekly email is intended to provide pathways of practice for becoming the type of people who embody these values.
Many of our reflections on each week's text come from other sources. If you're interested in reading more of what inspires us, here our our two favorite reflections.
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