April 10, 2022

Rev. Dr. Susan Henry Crowe

Community Connections:	UMC General Secretary of the General Board of Church and Society; Former Dean of the Chapel & Religious Life, Emory University; Former member, United Methodist Judicial Council; Member, South Carolina Conference The United Methodist Church

Where Does This Lead? ~ Luke 19:28-40

We know how the journey ends.  But most often the outcome of difficult journeys is unknown to us.  

Palm Sunday begins in festivity.  For the disciples of Jesus, it is a joyful moment.  The crowds seem excited to welcome him to Jerusalem.  For Jesus, the journey into the city is more unsettled and his words are foreboding.  

As the week goes on it only becomes more treacherous, full of deceit and betrayal.  And in our self-centered obsession, we must remember that this is the journey of Jesus.

It is only about us in that we must examine our own duplicity, treachery, and betrayal.  We are not the victims.  

In the world and in the church, we find ourselves surrounded by conflict, anxiety, fear, and uncertainty.  We are angling to figure out the best outcomes, and figure out how to accomplish our aims.

Our own angling, betrayal, and treachery can cause much suffering.  

This Holy Week might best be a time of prayer, sitting, reflecting, walking, waiting, examining, and letting go.  

The message of Holy Week is the message of love.

It is Jesus that bears the wounds of our duplicity.  It is Jesus that saves us from ourselves because he loves us even unto death.  

 

Kenyan Eucharistic Prayer  

From a wandering nomad, you created your family;  
For a burdened people, you raised up a leader;  
For a confused nation, you chose a king;  
For a rebellious crowd, you sent your prophets.
On these last days, you have sent us your Son,  
Your perfect image, bringing your kindom,  
Revealing your will, dying, rising and reigning,  
Redeeming your people for yourself.