Law and love

I admit to struggling with Paul’s writing style, especially in the letter to the Romans. The writing we have from Paul are letters mainly written to churches, or groups of churches. Generally, they are written to churches that Paul started or had visited.

Romans is different, as far as we know, Paul had not visited Rome when he wrote this letter.  

While this is the first of Paul’s letters in the Bible, they are in order of length, not when they were written. Romans is first in the list, because it is the longest.

A couple of things that stand out for me in this letter.

One – this passage is written in the plural.[i] 
We know,
our sin,
God has accepted us, …..
Often we talk of faith as being personal, so it is my faith, or faith God has given to me. Paul doesn’t write of his faith, or even your faith, he writes of our faith.

How does this change the way we think about this passage?

………….

Two - the Law will not save us!

I have had people tell me they have kept the ten commandments – well usually they tell me how someone else is sinful because that someone else has broken one of the commandments and imply that they have not.  

Here Paul reminds us that the Law points out our sin,
the law does not save us,
the law tells us we need saving,
we need a new way of living.

And that new way of living comes through Jesus.

…………

Some of you will be more familiar with:  Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. [Romans 5:1 KJV], here it is translated as ‘By faith we have been made acceptable to God. And now, because of our Lord Jesus Christ, we live at peace with God.’ and a wonderful Aussie paraphrase: It was our faith that put us back in the good books with God.[ii]

Grace and love are not something we earn, but something we receive. some places have entry requirements, prior learning, or a dress code. I keep thinking i will get a bit fitter before i start paying gym fees 😊

In the same way i have heard people say they need to clean up their life before God will want to have anything to do with them.

Paul tells us, “While we were still showing no signs of ever offering God anything but contempt, Christ made the ultimate sacrifice for us.” [iii]

Does that sound like we need to have our lives sorted before will have anything to do with us?

…

One thing that I find comforting is that God didn’t wait for me to get my act together, God didn’t wait until I could explain all about Christianity, God didn’t wait until I knew some memory verses.

As we say in the Baptism service – we love because God first loved us.

………..

As a teenager it seemed that coming to faith, to an awareness of the love of God and responding to God’s love and grace, was the end of the story. After that it was about telling others, so they to would come to that awareness.

“It is very clear that Paul does not think that having been justified is the end of the story but the beginning. It is a beginning that offers entrance into a radically different way of living.”[iv]

“Faith is not simply a matter of a one-off response to the gospel message. It places our entire life on new ground.” [v]

I wonder what this new way of living looks like?

………..

One aspect of this passage I particularly struggle with is about suffering and endurance and character and hope.  This was written in a time when Christians were persecuted including imprisonment and stoning.  Paul is not telling us that God causes suffering, or that all suffering produces endurance. I wonder if one reason I struggle with this is because we are not persecuted as a community.

We don’t see news reports claiming all Christians are terrorists; Christians, as a group, are not subject to imprisonment if we refuse to worship the Government.

For me suffering is the flu, or panful knees, blocked sinuses, all of which are a pest, but do not compare to the suffering of the early church.

Paul continually reminds us that whatever is happening in our lives, good or bad or indifferent, God is with us, loving us, freeing us sin and guilt.

……………….

This week I noticed a sign that said: What is it that unites us?[vi]

I wonder:

Is it our language?

Is it the food we eat, the clothes we wear?

What is it that unites us?

Is it doctrine or denomination or law?

I would say, what unites is a story.
A story that tells us we are loved, forgiven, set free.

A story of God, God who loved people,
who despaired at their separation from God and each other,
God who acted through people,
God who came and lived and died and rose.

What unites us, or can unite us, is a story;

a story of love
a story that says you are valuable
a story that says you are more than your worst moments or days or years
a story that says you matter.

Do you want to know how much you matter? - Christ’s death is evidence of God’s love.[vii]

…….

I find Paul’s style of writing complex, big words and big ideas.

In all of this, may we know that we are loved, forgiven and set free,
to be the people we are,
people of hope,
people living in peace with God
each other,
and ourselves.

---

[i] http://words.dancingwiththeword.com/2016/05/suffering-together.html

[ii] ©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net 

[iii] ©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net 

[iv] http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3881&fbclid=IwAR3sWWrMr_cSgcAhoS0e-tnhk_4x-mP7Yk77xytcANamVoIajnEabWyJ8D0

[v] https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2440&fbclid=IwAR0j8cDq6aHWDy4AgtyEu8vrmjF_UOReNzjalAPC2gKqG3_aJLl3EEwRqZU

[vi] https://www.facebook.com/brenebrown/photos/a.194293500585767/2655018884513204/?type=3&theater

[vii] http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3881&fbclid=IwAR3sWWrMr_cSgcAhoS0e-tnhk_4x-mP7Yk77xytcANamVoIajnEabWyJ8D0

Paul, Barnabas and us

We could look at geography and the places that Paul visited, they would be interesting, but I am not sure that it helps with the question: what is God saying to us this morning?

In preparing sermons I think about what was happening at the time the passage was written, what it might have meant to the people hearing it the first time, then what might be wanting to say to us now.

First thing I noticed is that Barnabas and Paul travel together. Still today people travelling to new cultures, in another place or across the street, work with a travelling companion or an agency. It may be someone physically with them or a prayer partner or support person.

We live in a time when we are told to stand on our own two feet. We are told it is dangerous to be vulnerable, so be careful how much you say, it may come back to haunt you.  

I meet each month with a Spiritual Director, who challenges and encourages me, who asks questions that help me think through what I say believe about God and explores with me if this is consistent with what I say about myself and the way I act.

Have you ever had a friend or been part of a small group where each person is:

·         supported in faith,

·         able to ask questions,

·         be aware of God,

·         be encouraged to act on the leading of the Holy Spirit.   

What difference did it make to your life to be in that kind of relationship?

 ………………

The first paragraph of this reading reminded me of something I rarely see in the life of Congregations I have been part of. People together, praying and fasting, aware of the movement of the Holy Spirit and acting on that.

Can you remember a time that you were in a group that was aware of the leading of the Holy Spirit?

Did you act on that leading?

I have been aware of the movement of the Holy Spirit in meetings at times, especially at Synod and Assembly. We will be in the middle of something complex and messy, then there has been a moment of clarity throughout the room. It has been amazing to be present when that has happened.

……

In the passages this morning we hear of two ‘miracles’, a person who is stopping people from hearing the gospel is made blind, then a person who cannot walk is able to walk. The response to both situations is recorded, in the first instance a person comes to faith.

In the second, ….

Paul and Barnabas are mistaken for Greek Gods, people bow at their feet, and bring offerings to them.

We are not Gods!

We are ordinary people!

Turn to the living God.

Then we hear of the community turning against Paul, stoned him and left him for dead outside the city.

Another Minister wrote on Facebook this week, that when she writes her memoir it will be called Ministry isn’t for Sissies. I would say Christianity isn’t for Sissies.

You can be led by God to move at any time, to speak or help, to be generous with time or money or talent. And just because God is leading you in a task, doesn’t mean it will be successful or that you will not be attacked, verbally or physically. You may be misunderstood.

Paul’s travels are not just about Paul, they are about God.[i] The book of Acts shows the importance of the Holy Spirit in the spread of the Christin message.

I wonder when we are aware of the movement of the Holy Spirit and the action of the Holy Spirit in the world around us and in our own lives. When was the last time we, as a community of faith, followed a prompt from the Holy Spirit?

….

A big question for me is why do we do what we do?

As a Parish we teach Scripture in School, offer playgroup, school mentors, worship; we collect food and presents for local organisations; we support Frontier Services and Overseas Mission; we pray, we study the Bible, we care for each other.

Why do we do all this?

because we people transformed by God

it makes us feel valued

God demands this life from us

To get more people to church on Sunday morning

Why do we do all this?

In the Book of Acts, we read of people responding to the leading of the Holy Spirit; people speaking about Jesus in ways people can connect with; people putting their lives on the line for their faith.  

If another chapter or two were being added today, what would you include, what would you expect to see there?

---

[i]https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2420&fbclid=IwAR1WwkotvbIxL9Q9S8XzYCfZBvbdMORzuIb81N4OQX5ayA9hkVyPkWN-cRo

Exclude or Include?

This week and next we read from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles.  This book tells the story of the early church, the spread of the gospel, the movement of the Spirit and the travels of Paul.

There are two main characters in this story, Peter and Cornelius.

Peter was one of the twelve who had travelled with Jesus. The twelve are known as the disciples when they were travelling with Jesus - disciples means learner or follower. But after the ascension, they are apostles – which means a messenger, one who is sent on a mission. So, they moved from being fellow travellers to being messengers.

Peter was one of the people who travelled with Jesus, and one who was commissioned to go and spread the gospel or good news.

Cornelius was a Roman Centurion, which means he would have been despised by Jews. While Cornelius worshipped God, he was not a Jew. Rome was the occupying force, associating with them would make a religious Jew unclean and therefore unable to participate in religious ritual.

Two men who worshipped God,

two men from very different backgrounds

two men who experience God.

In this passage we hear how an apostle and a Captain in the Roman occupying force are both moved by the Holy Spirit.

As a result of the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of these two men, Cornelius and his household hear the good news of Jesus and are baptised.

Last week we heard the commission and promise from Jesus:

Jesus came to them and said:

I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Here we see Peter doing just that, telling the good news and baptising.

In the first Century, tradition was important. Jews followed the food laws and purity laws form the Torah, mainly Leviticus. Here we read about Peter being challenged to accept a challenge from God that went against the exclusiveness of Jewish people.

The people with Peter were shocked that the Holy Spirit was given to non-Jews, the same as they had been touched by the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

When are we shocked at who Jesus includes?

Who would you exclude from faith, from church?

This is a confronting passage for me.

Do I act on what I sense to be the presence and challenge of the Spirit in my life when it disagrees with tradition?

What if I get it wrong?

How do we respond to the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives and our community?

With enthusiasm?

Or suspicion?

Or denial?

As the message of Jesus spread, the early church had to work out how to be the church of Jesus Christ, not only a part of Judaism. The question of circumcision, of what foods to eat, questions about the place of non-Jews within the church all needed to be addressed.

Today our questions are different, we no longer query if people are Christian based on racial background, but it is not that long ago that many churches were suspicious of anyone who was divorced, or a single parent or worked in a pub. There are still churches where a woman preaching is considered to be outside of the Biblical witness.

I have heard people query if someone is really a Christian when the person has different beliefs or tattoos or gambles or ….

The Uniting Church, as well as other churches, are looking at what are called Fresh Expressions, these are new ways of telling the story of Jesus, of helping people connect with the spirit in their lives, and they are rarely on a Sunday morning and often not in a church building.

As Christianity spread beyond the confines of the Jewish community, Christianity is spreading beyond the established church.

A few days ago was Holocaust Memorial Day and tonight is the beginning of Ramadan.  We live in a time when violence against people of faith is increasing, how do we respond? Can we take it from Peter’s experience and accept all people are acceptable to God?

Peter had his horizons broadened, to include gentiles as well as Jews.

Where do we need to expand our view?

Who do we exclude?

What would it take for you to include them?

Making Disciples

A poem: Some Doubted

I sometimes wonder if the church has a place

for people who are like me.

Everybody else seems to know their Bible better that I do,

and I was never any good

at those memory verse things as a child.

Not only do I feel like a second-class Christian, but my faith is so fragile, weak, compared to other people in our church.

I doubt myself all the time,

and I wonder about all those miracles Jesus performed,

whether they could really have happened.

People don’t want to hear about my doubts.

They want the right answer,

the straight forward facts,

the truth as the minister or the church sees it,

and they go about their business feeling assured, confident, Christ-like.

That is why I hide a lot when it comes to things in our church.

I never go to those Bible Study or House-groups in case people think I am just a fake Christian.

I never turn up at the prayer group, because I don’t think I could pray in front of other people,

and Mrs Barrie is so eloquent when she prays

that it puts you to shame.

I am not as well educated as her,

so, I doubt that God would even take the time

to listen to anything I had to say or ask?

Yet every so often I am encouraged,

and feel that even if the church,

the Holy Willies or the minister might not think much of me,

because of my doubts,

I know that Jesus still finds a place for me.

He still thinks that I belong,

fragile and weak and doubting that I am.

Here, even amidst the Joy of Easter,

the Good News of resurrection and life,

some doubted,

but were nevertheless encouraged

to go and live what they believed,

act on what they believed,

grow into what God might like them to become,

with their doubts and their mustard seed faith,

and still find their place amongst God’s cherished ones.

Today I want to feel affirmed in who I am,

what I am able to believe, what I might become,

because I believe that God

is not finished with me yet.

So I will go and teach

what I know,

what I have already experienced,

what I am able to believe,

and trust that God will do the rest...

Spill the Beans

I wonder what it would look like if we trusted in spite of our doubts, our not knowing all the answers.

I wonder what it might look like if we were able to have conversations about our experience of Jesus, faith, church.

Last week we heard about the women finding the empty tomb, and their meeting with Jesus.

Would we have run to tell the disciples?

Or was it too much like a dream to be true?

I wonder if the disciples asked themselves the same question as they travelled from Jerusalem to Galilee.

The disciples did not see Jesus in Jerusalem, they only have the word of the two Marys

Is this for real?

Will Jesus be there?

One thing I have noticed when children begin walking, is they hold onto whatever is around the start with; then they venture on their own, often only a few steps before they fall over. They don’t give up, thinking this walking caper isn’t for me, they get back up and try again. And they improve their balance and coordination each attempt.

Is that how we think about speaking of our faith?

I know I worry about getting my words mixed up, and people thinking I am stupid. Like God speaks to people!

Part of what I have learnt about faith, as with many things in life, is that with practice we improve. It doesn’t mean we understand everything or can explain the mysteries of faith. but it does mean we step out in faith, not knowing what the next step will be.

….

A few things to think about with this reading:

“Go therefore and make disciples” - I have read that this isn’t Go as a command. More like when leave this mountain and while you do what you do ….

“make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” sometimes this verse is read as 3 steps

1.   Make disciples

2.   Baptise

3.   teach

Another way of looking at it is to look at the active verb and the participles. The participles explain how the making disciples happens.  ‘In other words, we could understand the verse to be saying, "Make disciples of all nations, by baptizing and teaching.”’   [i]

The meeting between Jesus and the eleven disciples is on a mountain. Mountains are known as places to connect with God. [ii]

Galilee is where Jesus began his ministry and Matthew’s gospel finishes with this story from Galilee. [iii]

In chapter 1 Matthew announces that Jesus will be called Emmanuel, God with us; and here at the end of the gospel, Jesus reminds them that he will always be with them.

 .....

The disciples have shown all through the gospels that they do not understand what Jesus is teaching and showing them. And in the arrest and trail and crucifixion the disciples do not look like superhero followers of Jesus.

As they stand on the mountain with Jesus, they worship and doubt.

Jesus commissions all eleven disciples, there is no knowledge test or doubt meter to pass.[iv]

 “We are told to make disciples;

that is, to teach and enable people to become like Jesus,

loving like Jesus,

giving like Jesus,

and forgiving like Jesus.

We can only teach and enable them to make Jesus their Lord if this is how we ourselves live.” [v]

I know for me and many others this is not easy.  The idea of speaking about our faith can be scary.  It can be hard to know what to say.

Telling the good news isn’t giving a lecture on the life and teachings of Jesus,

Who do you know who needs to hear the good news that they are loved?

Who do you know who needs to hear the good news that their hard work is valued?

Who can we share such life changing news with this week?[vi]

Living out the commission of Jesus to make disciples, baptising and teaching may seem like a huge task.

Jesus trusts us with that task,

the task of telling people about love and liberation

the task of showing grace and forgiveness

the task of making disciples

as we live out our discipleship.

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[i] http://gluthermonson.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-great-calling-and-assurance.html

[ii]http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3877&fbclid=IwAR1SZbG5W3ceLbbGFtPp1RvMPc9hfQjOfiLleas3zQqh0l29gyEXU7jXJFI

[iii] https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=86&fbclid=IwAR2hSI-4T2LeEGnAp8CIe0SaVM_8zwZ3FsC5P7tnBxMf2ZsRCRKzEdjEyrM

[iv]https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2097&fbclid=IwAR1484HSP6LQI5KvbOaJn_WBTeQ7XdOjEae0ISRVNW31PQiDJI5lPSZAQtU

[v] https://www.onemansweb.org/theology/life-on-the-beach-matthew-24-36-44/trust-matthew-28-16-20-trinity-sunday.html

[vi] Spill the beans

Resurrection Go and Tell

the one who died is now alive

the tomb, sealed and guarded

is now empty

resurrection
new life
death conquered by love

A quote:

“The proof that God raised Jesus from the dead is not the empty tomb,

but the full hearts of his transformed disciples.

The crowning evidence that he lives is not a vacant grave,

but a spirit-filled fellowship.

Not a rolled-away stone, but a carried-away church.”

(Clarence Jordan).

Today is a day to celebrate the wondrous “yes” of God despite all that the world tries to do to stifle that affirmation[i]

resurrection happens whenever oppression is turned into freedom

resurrection happens whenever injustice is turned into liberation

resurrection happens whenever someone has found the space

to love after being hurt,

resurrection happens whenever someone has found the courage to begin again when it seems life has ended[ii]

.…

This passage again has angels

Mary was told not to be afraid when an angel told her of God’s plan for her to have a child.

Joseph was told in a dream not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife.

The Shepherds were told don’t be afraid when the night sky lit up with angels announcing the birth of Jesus

It seems that angels must be scary, every time they speak to someone, the first thing they say is ‘don’t be afraid’.

Or maybe it is because no one expects to see an angel.

And the women who went to the tomb were certainly not expecting what happened that morning.

They were not expecting an angel,

or an empty tomb,

or to meet Jesus.

The women had seen what had happened on Friday,

the crucifixion and burial,

they were coming to mourn.

Some gospels mention burial spices,

but not Matthew.

Matthew has the women going to see the tomb,

maybe they hoped to feel close to Jesus there.

But,

something happened that morning,

something extraordinary and amazing and earth shattering.

An earthquake, Matthew records 2 earthquakes, one as Jesus dies and one of Sunday morning.

Death and new life are earth-shattering events.

……………..

I wonder what it was like for the women that morning,

Going to the tomb, my guess is sad, and maybe concerned about getting into trouble for even being there.

Then when an angel rolled the stone away, and spoke to them?

And then when Jesus spoke to them?

Then they grabbed his feet and worshipped him.

They went to grieve at the tomb,

and end up worshipping Jesus.

Sometimes the best things in life are surprises J

Every so often something happens in our lives that is life changing, and in my experience, that is often accompanied by pain or fear, or both J 

I wonder what this story has for us today, most of us have heard this story, or variations of it from Mark, Luke and John, many times over. 

I have a cartoon that reads: “Look at that! Brilliant! You kill the leader and you nip the whole movement in the bud.”

And then just a few days later, the leader isn’t dead anymore, and the movement …

The movement has lasted another 2000 years.

What shape is the Jesus movement in today?

Where do we see signs of resurrection in our own lives and in the world?

Both the angel and Jesus tell the women: don’t be afraid, and then ‘to go and tell’.

Don’t be afraid, go and tell.

Tell the story of Jesus –

The story of compassion,

of grace,

of inclusion,

of acceptance,

of healing,

of liberation.

Tell it in words and actions

Tell it with your time and your money,

with your voice and your hands,

tell the story of love with your life.

Don’t be afraid, go and tell

---

[i] Spill the beans

[ii] Based on May the Resurrection Come by Cheryl Laurie, on [hold this space]. holdthisspace.org

One night in Bethany

[told from the viewpoint of Jesus in Bethany on the night of the Palm parade. the hymn Ride on, Ride one, from Iona group is sung during the sermon.]

Ahh, back in Bethany for the night.

The crowds are growing each day ...

I know it cannot continue like this;

people come to see what is happening

People come for healing

People come because they hope for the Messiah.

It is good to be back in Bethany for the night

A refuge amid the busyness

A quiet space to think, to rest

Some say I should quieten down,

not upset the leaders so much.

My parents took me to Egypt as a child, worried I would be killed by a jealous King.

There will be no leaving this time

There will be no turning away from my path.

What’s that Mary?

What have we been up to today?

We walked into Jerusalem this morning; it is quite busy leading up to Passover.

Today, some extra Roman soldiers were arriving.

They arrive like a procession, a parade, to make an impact. Big horses, full uniforms, jangling bridles.

They come in a show of force to keep the ‘peace’

Yes Mary, it isn’t really peace, as much as squashing any potential issues.

In true prophet style, I was in a parade as well.

We borrowed a donkey, and I rode into Jerusalem;

people shouted and threw their cloaks on the road. It was amazing.

People were shouting ‘Hosanna’

Praise God! Save us!

You know Mary, I wonder if people saw what I was doing; if they realised, I was mocking the Romans with their chariots.

Challenging the Roman idea of peace?

Ride on, ride on, the time is right:

the roadside crowds scream with delight;

palm branches mark the pilgrim way

where beggars squat and children play.

Ride on, ride on, your critics wait,

intrigue and rumour circulate;

new lies abound in word and jest,

and truth becomes a suspect guest.

After the parade, I went to the temple. It was extra busy with people coming for Passover. It was a nightmare, not just the number of people, but the jostling to get in. The money changers and sacrifice sellers were taking up so much space, I cleared them out.

Jeremiah [ch7] spoke about the Temple being misused by people who thought they could do whatever they wanted as long as they came to the Temple to worship and offer sacrifices. The temple is for worshipping God, not putting in barriers.

How did it all go so wrong.

God gave the earth and life and food and water

Dreamt of people living together in true peace

But people fought with each other, over God’s land

over where to worship, ….

When there was space, people came looking for me to heal them, the blind can see, and the lame can walk.

Peace and healing, wholeness is what I am about

Transforming lives, reconnecting relationships, building community.

Not everyone agrees with my mission, some are scared, some benefit from the current system of patronage. I feel for those who struggle under the oppression of Rome. they are looking for hope, they are not sure if I am the hope they seek.

I know, Mary, I am hope, but not what they look for.

they are looking for me to overthrow Rome, that is not my way. Violence begets violence.  

I am a man of peace.

Rise on, ride on, while well aware

that those who shout and wave and stare

are mortals who, with common breath,

can crave for life and lust for death.

Ride on, ride on, though blind with tears

though dumb to speak and deaf to jeers.

Your path is clear, though few can tell

their garments pave the road to Hell

the sweetest sound today was children shouting praises. They see things that adults do not. It was one more thing the leaders didn’t like.

I can feel them breathing down my neck.

I know you are worried about me Mary. Passover is coming, the time we remember and recognise how God saved the people from slavery in Egypt. It is like the Temple worship is so clipped and copped it has lost its power and beauty, and also the ability to help people recognise God.

I know Mary, this kind of talk will get me in trouble in town. The leaders are after me.

Soon they will have their chance.

This is a violent regime which does not tolerate peace.

An oppressive regime that does not tolerate freedom.

No Mary, I won’t stay here,

Every day is a good day to bring healing and hope into a troubled world. Even if it is at risk of my life.[i] Fear is what stops the world being more like what God planned.

I will not be held back by fear, by what people might do to me.

I have told the disciples I will die at the hands of the Roman and religious leaders. They don’t understand. I’m not sure I exactly understand either.

But I won’t toe their line, I won’t get caught up in the system of violence and oppression.

Ride on, ride on, the room is let,

the wine matured, the saw is whet;

and dice your death-throes shall attend

though faith, not fate, dictates your end.

Ride on, ride on, God’s love demands.

Justice and peace lie in your hands.

Evil and angel voices rhyme:

this is the man and this is the time.

…………………

We know the next part of the story.

We will hear on Thursday evening about the arrest in the garden and on Friday morning, the trial and crucifixion.

We know the story, but this week i encourage you to sit with the story.

Which part resonates with you?

Is it betrayal, isolation, pain, plotting, shouting Hosanna?

Do you follow the Jesus of the cross, the one who brings peace and wholeness?

Or follow the ways of empire, of uniformity and peace by suppression.

---

[i] https://sicutlocutusest.com/2019/04/11/the-next-day-a-palm-sunday-reflection/?fbclid=IwAR0gcQHAeDMzTjOQIZQjNVBCSLNH_xszYaGbgeRwY1REQQYGdvw-GFysyYo