Triumphal entry

Posted Friday, April 14, 2023, at 9:07 AM

Anyone who happened to drive by FUMC this morning probably noticed a whole bunch of us waving palm branches as we entered the church for the Palm Sunday service. They will be burned and saved for next year's Ash Wednesday service where we all get the sign of the cross on our forehead or hand. It is continuity for those who observe the seasons of the Christian church. We all know the story of Holy Week. Jesus rode in on a donkey surrounded by peasants who threw their robes in his path while Pilate's army put on a show on the other side. Pilate won Holy Week some say. The reality is that most of those who surrounded and supported Jesus as disciples denied and betrayed him. He knew what was coming yet He did it anyway so that we could all be saved from our sins. Who is a sinner? All of us. Everyday. Sometimes it is unintentional. When you know better you do better.

I do not judge others, and often I get hurt for being that way. But my hurt is nothing compared to the suffering of others. People mourning their losses due to mass shootings and catastrophic weather events are at the top of the list yet there are so many more who are underserved and suffering. Homelessness is rampant and hunger is on the rise. It's a dog-eat-dog world these days. Yet, I see glimmers of hope for humanity in random acts of kindness. For every rude or hateful person I run into there are 20 more who do the next right thing. And that? Gives me faith. Y'all be one of those. And remember who you are ^j^