The Gospel
When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. 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.
The Offering
From Rev. Katie Nakamura Rengers
“All transformation occurs in liminal space.” – Richard Rohr
“Liminal” describes that space where we become acutely aware of the Holy, almost as though we’d stumbled upon the boundary between earth and Heaven. Finding myself in liminal space is like standing in a doorway that has just opened, or like adjusting a telescope until some far away object comes into focus.
To Richard Rohr’s observation I’d add that I believe all transformation involves some sort of inversion of power. When I consider the moments that have transformed me, I can trace them all back to either: giving up bit of power I had, or taking up power I hadn’t had/used before.
On Palm Sunday, Jesus and his friends came down from the Mount of Olives. It is thought that he entered Jerusalem through the eastern gate, known as the “Gate of Mercy,” or “The Golden Gate.” The eastern gate was a liminal space for Jesus. There will be many exchanges of power over the next week. As soon as Jesus passes through the gate, he’ll be at the temple mount, where he’ll overturn the tables of the money changers. On Thursday, he will wash his disciples’ feet, and late that night he’ll allow himself to be betrayed, denied and abandoned by all but a few. Early on Sunday morning, he will take up (or perhaps be given? or be surprised by?) the power of Resurrection.
What is a doorway that’s open to you right now? How might you adjust your telescope (or microscope) to see the Holy there?