Palm Sunday
March 29
Scripture Reading: Mark 11: 7-11 “Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks
on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy
branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were
shouting,
“Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at
everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.”
According to Michael Battle in the Daily Feast, “Palm Sunday shows
us how often we misinterpret God’s love, as well as our love for God.
The true measure of our love must comprise the capacity to extend
ourselves in real acts of compassion toward the afflicted, forcing us
to come out of ourselves. So Jesus gets on a jackass and parades
among palms towards Jerusalem. This act requires the greatest love.
A great Christian mystic, Simon Weil, writes, “Those who are
unhappy have no need for anything in this world but people capable
of giving them their attention. The capacity to give one’s attention is
a very rare and difficult thing; it is almost a miracle; it is a miracle.” Jesus entering Jerusalem,
riding humbly on a donkey, is the miracle of God’s complete attention. In Jesus, the world
recognizes how different its kind of love is from God’s kind of love, and in this recognition – in
Jesus- we are transformed from fighting God tooth and nail into creatures who actually love God.”i
Living as followers of Jesus demands that we learn to pay attention to the people and events around
us. The opportunity to share God’s love with one in need lives within each one of us. When we
share that love with others we participate in God’s transforming power. It can begin as simply as
entering into a conversation. It could be the clerk at a bookstore who asks you about a book you
are buying. The person in the waiting room who hears you offering a prayer for a friend.
Opportunities are all around us. God is at work all around us. When we open our hearts and minds
to see it, God steps in and helps gives us the opportunity to share. The eyes to see where God
needs us come from a discipline of prayer. The more we ask God to show us where we are to go,
the more opportunities will come. But we have to do more than keep our eyes open, we have to
listen for God’s leading, that gentle nudge you feel to reach out to someone. It is a deeply intuitive
experience. The more we listen for God’s leading, the more we can sense where we are to go. It
is a practice that takes time to discern; sometimes we see it best after the moment is past. Taking
the time to think about moments when you were sure God was present with you can help you
discern what the experience feels like. In time, you sense it more quickly and can respond trusting
that God is at work.
This is the end of our God stories. Consider when and where people consistently saw God at work.
Think about similar moments in your life. Pray that God will give you the eyes to see the moments
God is working in you. Open yourself to being willing to reach out to someone you feel drawn to
speak to or serve in some way.
God Sightings in the 2010’s
Church
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In the personal conversations with needy community members during our Community
Breakfast.
Watching transformation happen in others.
Joined the choir and then became a member of the church. I felt the call of God to be
part of this church family.
Lunch Bunch, Too!
GIFT group. I love this group! There are lots of ah ha moments.
Samantha graduates and tells me a secret.
Joining bell choir and participating in the church Christmas pageant.
Every time I sing in church I feel the presence of God.
The Near Death Experience ministry.
When I needed a Stephen Minister in 2013.
Being called as a Deacon.
The Community Breakfast and all those who help.
I found a new church family.
Bible Study.
The first day I attended a worship service here.
The New Beginnings process.
During the caring and sharing of personal feelings and experiences during Adult Bible
Study classes.
The leaders of various small groups and committees.
Getting to participate in the Christmas pageant.
During the Sr. High Mission Project in 2014.
When we joined the church.
Through the Stephen Ministry.
I have seen a member respond to God’s call.
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The power of the Holy Spirit as evidenced by all these personal testimonies!
Society
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The incredible support that was prompted by Hurricane Katrina.
God’s spirit as evidenced by the outpouring of love and support of the Decker family
after the tragic fire at their home.
Sponsored one girl from Kenya to study at a university in the U.S.
Becoming a C.A.S.A volunteer.
Really knew that God was in charge of my children.
The economy peaked awareness of the importance of helping those in need.
When Hurricane Sandy hit and the big tree in our backyard did not fall on our house.
Personal
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Whenever I face challenge or difficulty big or small.
Meeting Frank.
In the lives of my children.
Dealing with a new personal family illness.
As I am learning how to be myself and yet an adult mom.
Feeling like I was where God wanted me to be at that moment. It was a good omen of
what was to come.
Allysa graduated from high school.
Through family difficulties in 2013.
When my father died.
I got a new job.
When my cousin was in the hospital for 3 months after being very ill.
A friend in the hospital in December.
When a friend passed away after having battled cancer.
Cancer.
Birth to my daughter and son to be and birth to my son.
Global trip experience with others.
When my father died.
When my husband retired from his career and the family went to Disneyworld.
The illness of a dear friend. I felt alone and powerless to help. I felt God’s presence
telling me I am never alone.
Prayer: Most loving God, our congregation has begun an amazing journey with you. We are
seeing signs of your love and feeling your presence in profound ways. Keep our eyes open,
keep us listening for your guidance, and keep us following where you are leading us. Amen.
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The Daily Feast: Meditations from Feasting on the Word, Year B. Edited By Kathleen Long Bostrom, Elizabeth F.
Caldwell, Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville, KY. 2011.