Palm Sunday Reflections 28 March 2021,
based on the HomeChurch service of same day.
PSALM 117
Praise the Lord, all you nations;
extol him, all you peoples.
For great is his love towards us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord
endures for ever.
Hallelu Yah!
PENITENTIAL PRAYERS
An Orthodox liturgy for Lent:
Lord and Master of our lives,
take from us the spirit
of laziness,
half – heartedness,
selfish ambition
and idle talk.
Give us rather the spirit of integrity,
purity of heart,
humility,
faithfulness
and love.
Lord and King,
help us to see our own errors,
and not to judge our neighbours;
for your mercy’s sake.
Amen
Repent forgiveness, for
Every sin and acknowledge your
Pardon.
Enter into life, a
New beginning, with the
Three in one.God forgives all who repent. Accept your forgiveness now.
Written by Ali in response to a lent reading.
Entering Jerusalem on a Colt
Mark 11:1-11, The Message Bible
When they were nearing Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany on Mount Olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions: “Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you’ll find a colt tethered, one that has never yet been ridden. Untie it and bring it. If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ say, ‘The Master needs him, and will return him right away.’”
They went and found a colt tied to a door at the street corner and untied it. Some of those standing there said, “What are you doing untying that colt?” The disciples replied exactly as Jesus had instructed them, and the people let them alone. They brought the colt to Jesus, spread their coats on it, and he mounted.
The people gave him a wonderful welcome, some throwing their coats on the street, others spreading out rushes they had cut in the fields. Running ahead and following after, they were calling out,
Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in God’s name!
Blessed the coming kingdom of our father David!
Hosanna in highest heaven!
He entered Jerusalem, then entered the Temple. He looked around, taking it all in. But by now it was late, so he went back to Bethany with the Twelve.
PALM SUNDAY REFLECTION – based on writings in The Canterbury Preacher’s Companion 2008, By Michael Councell
The two Jewish words meaning ‘Welcome’ are pronounced Ba-rook ha-bah. As honorary Jews – we became such when were baptized in Christ – we can greet each other with Ba-rook ha-bah. “Blessed is the one who comes” is its meaning. The Jerusalem crowd shouted it out as Jesus entered riding on a donkey. It was a triumphal entry. The crowd were using their usual word of welcome but added on “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord”, familiar words from Psalm 118.The people of Jerusalem welcomed Jesus on what we now call Palm Sunday. A few days later it was a different story!
They also shouted out the word Hosan-na meaning “Save us now”, it also comes from Psalm 118. ” Come, O Lord, and save us, we pray, Come, Lord, send us now prosperity”. Similar words are in Psalm 80, “Stir up your might, and come to save us! The Jews wanted saving from their enemies now. We ask God to save us from the power of sin, guilt and the fear of death. We ask God to ‘save us now’ as we cry Hosan-na. Now not in the future.
KYRIE ELESION – VIDEO
Made and produced by the Northumbria Community: a song of Lament. Please note the initial images are all part of it and not an advert!
OSCAR ROMERO – based on information in the Northumbria Community Celtic Daily Prayer, Book one.
When Oscar Romero became Archbishop in El Salvador – he was seen as a safe appointment. It was felt by the authorities that he would not align himself with the poor. The country was experiencing political and civil unrest. Following the murder of a Jesuit priest a peaceful protest gathered, the army opened fire. Oscar Romero chose to identify himself with the oppressed.
He moved from his palace to a cancer hospital for the poor. This became his new home. He encouraged his priests to shelter those in fear of their lives. Oscar always began his sermons by reading out the names of the missing and murdered. He condemned violence in the name of justice and self-interest.
For three years Oscar was a voice for the voiceless. He was shot whilst saying Mass. The Gospel of the day read,” If a seed of wheat falls into the ground and dies it will bear much fruit”. He had already prepared a message for the day he died, this as issued out by a newspaper – “I have often been threatened with death. But, as a Christian, I do not believe in death without resurrection. If they kill me, I shall rise again in the Salvadorean people, a witness of hope in the future.”
Why have I told you about Oscar Romero:
a) He is remembered as a saint on 24 March.
b) He served the Lord for 3 years as a voice for the voiceless and believed in the resurrection. Just like someone else we know and worship.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Using a palm cross or your hand (starting from your thumb and working down to your little finger at each stage of the prayer.) Pause to add your own prayers:
- Hold the cross in your right hand and then place your left thumb on the left ‘crosspiece’.
Let us pray for the world. Loving God, thank you that your peace reaches into every situation across our world. Be close to those places that need peace this day.
Lord in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.
- Place your left thumb on the right of the ‘crosspiece’.
Let us pray for people in need. Loving God, thank you that your hope reaches into every situation. Be close to those who are ill or sad this day.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
- Place your left thumb on the base of the ‘crosspiece’.
Let us pray for our local villages and communities: Loving God, thank you that your joy reaches into our homes. Help us to know that you are with us every day.
Lord in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.
- Place your thumb on top of the ‘crosspiece’.
Let us pray for Graeme, Joanna and all who lead in the church and teach us about Jesus: Loving God, thank you that your love is shared through your church. Give wisdom to those who help us to know the Good News of Jesus.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
- Place your thumb in centre of the ‘crosspiece’.
Let us pray for ourselves. Loving God, thank you for Jesus and the love he showed for me. Help me to follow him more and more each day.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Amen.
I ask God to bless you as you reflect on these words.
Blessings
Ali
p.s. feel free to share the video out – permission is granted by the Northumbria Community