Benefice of St Mary’s Chard, Combe St
Nicholas, Wambrook and Whitestaunton
Letter for this week 28th March 2021 Palm
Sunday.
We
hope that you will be able to join us at some point during Holy Week on the
Zoom or in Person on Good Friday for the Stations or to celebrate on Easter Day.
There
will be Palm Crosses for you in Church if you would like them, please remember
to gel hands before and after taking one.
I
remember when Stephen and I visited the Holy Land in 2010 the awesomeness of
coming up to the top of the hill on the coach, sadly not walking, and seeing,
stretched before us the site of Jerusalem and the glorious colours of the stone
and the golden top of the Dome shinning in the sunlight. It all bears little in
resemblance to the moment Jesus and his disciples walked over the summit as
most of the buildings were not there, however, the second temple would have
greeted them over the walls of the city, alongside the olive trees at the mount
of Olives. But we caught enough of the sight to be able to identify with what
they would have seen.
The
coming from Galilee involved rising from the lowest city on earth Jericho 800 ft
below sea level to the heights of Jerusalem 3000 ft above sea level in the
space of not more than 14 miles.
And
they were coming to celebrate, can you remember the excitement of going to a
festival or big event that everyone was heading for? Anticipation rising at
what the day would bring? Picture yourself if you can then as the crowd
accompanying Jesus, weary from that climb, but knowing they are entering the
city with the King. The kingdom is arriving. Jesus instructs for a colt to be
brought for him that he may enter the city on its back, not a stallion richly
adorned, but a simple colt unridden before. Then the road is strewn with cloaks
and palms and branches for him to ride the royal pathway. You don’t do this for
just anyone, only an expected King, royalty, Hosanna they shout, blessed be the
one who is come. Expectation is in the air, excitement, the King is entering
the city.
Over
the next few days as the Jews prepare for the Passover, festival time, the
place is alive with people come to Jerusalem a festival not to be missed. Most
of them will stay outside the city as Jesus did with the disciples in Bethany,
probably with Mary, Martha and Lazarus.
You
may have noted the last sentence of the first Gospel Reading from Mark “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 disciples”.
The next day scripture tells us Jesus
went into the Temple and overturned the money tables.
Within
the week there would be a fickle changing of minds for some to shouting Crucify
him.
This
is such a thought-provoking service on Palm Sunday, as we travel through the
narrative. Our King arriving in Jerusalem, our King being misunderstood, our
King turning the world upside down. We have joy and excitement as we sing the
joyful songs of arrival at the city, yet within the hour we have heard the
moving story of Jesus coming to the Cross which cannot but touch our hearts.
Our Saviour throughout the narrative shows love and forgiveness for those who
have left the path and pays the ultimate price on the Cross, for us, as for the
peoples then, and we leave on a sombre note.
But
for now, we have the joy and anticipation.
If
you get a moment, follow the Art Project in Chard, either with a walking plan
and/or on line, details are here: https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/hopecommunityartproject which can be reached without being on
Facebook, or the Easter Stations and Trail, plus the glorious knitted and
crocheted flowers at Combe St Nicholas Church.
Be
Blessed Rev Georgina
Ride
on
They’re
waving at you.
Ride
on.
Some
wave to flag you down
like witnesses at a motorway pile-up.
They want to you to fix the injured and dying.
You can cure them.
You can bring the dead back to life.
Ride
on.
Some
are waving Hello.
They want you to come to their party.
They want to show you off to their friends.
They know some very open-minded Pharisees.
They are sure they will be reasonable about it all
once you explain.
Ride
on.
Some
wave the team colours.
They want you to stuff the opposition,
they think its time that our guys won.
Ride
on.
Some
wave business cards.
They want you to endorse their products.
You are hot property for chat shows.
Your position statements will be prepared for you.
You will be dressed by Armani and Calvin Klein
for your limitless media opportunities.
Ride
on.
Some
wave to warn you.
They want you to take care.
They’d like to re-direct your route
away from likely trouble spots.
They have your best interests at heart.
Ride
on.
Some
wave in desperation as if
you are their only hope.
Ride
on.
Some
wave their fists.
You were the wrong answer to their prayers
and their disappointments have blossomed into anger.
You could have sorted the whole bloody mess
and here you are out donkey-riding.
Ride
on.
Ride
on until
the temple looms in front of you.
Dismount.
Walk the last few steps
towards the tables
where religion is prepared.
Push them all over.
Leave no room for doubt.
Walk
on into
the dark garden,
the false kiss,
the clever trap,
the rigged trial,
the beating,
the goading.
Walk
on until
there is no more you can do except
hang on,
doing what it was
you came to do
for every one
of them and us.
Written in 1997 by Godfrey Rust, revised for Palm
Sunday, March 2012.
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