Palm Sunday
All glory, laud and honor,
To Thee, Redeemer, King,
To Whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.
(http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/g/aglahonr.htm)
“Remember the little people whom Jesus loved and who were sarcastically referred to as the rabble on the occasion of the healing of the man born blind (see John 9)? It was these enthusiastic poor people, having nothing more elegant to offer the Messiah than a mule and branches torn from nearby trees, who celebrated Jesus’ arrival. How sadly revealing this really is.
The poverty of this humble celebration did not pain Jesus, because He could have summoned legions of angels. No, it is sad for the human race. It was the best that men of the time could do and were willing to offer.
And we don’t do much more right now…
…Apparently, the Son of God Himself knew that this humble crowd was the best He could find to proclaim that He was the Messiah, the new Elijah, the Son of David.
Religious practice in the English-speaking world has become very casual, to use a kindly term. ‘Slipshod’ might be a better way to describe what we see going on. I am not simply referring to casual liturgical practice but even to the way people dress when coming to church and how they stand and kneel. Many of those who come to church do so in order to fulfill an obligation as painlessly as possible. There is no enthusiasm, joy, or engagement of the person. It seems to many that attending church is like getting on a bus.
We should work to change this slipshod approach. We should dress as if we were going to the worship of God and not to the beach. We should sing and respond to the prayers, and personally we should pray. When the liturgy is over, then we should joyfully greet our fellow Christians.
If all this seems strange and unreal, then go and pray with the poor. Like the crowd that welcomed Jesus, they will show you what to do.”
Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
~James 2:5
Prayer:
“O Lord Jesus Christ, You come as our friend and also as our King. We look to You for consolation and understanding, and we should also look to You with adoration and thanksgiving. As this Holy Week begins, help us to realize that You are our suffering and crucified King, the poor little One, but nonetheless the One we shall worship at the end of our lives as King of kings and Lord of lords. Amen.”
~Benedict Groeschel
To Thee, Redeemer, King,
To Whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.
(http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/g/aglahonr.htm)
“Remember the little people whom Jesus loved and who were sarcastically referred to as the rabble on the occasion of the healing of the man born blind (see John 9)? It was these enthusiastic poor people, having nothing more elegant to offer the Messiah than a mule and branches torn from nearby trees, who celebrated Jesus’ arrival. How sadly revealing this really is.
The poverty of this humble celebration did not pain Jesus, because He could have summoned legions of angels. No, it is sad for the human race. It was the best that men of the time could do and were willing to offer.
And we don’t do much more right now…
…Apparently, the Son of God Himself knew that this humble crowd was the best He could find to proclaim that He was the Messiah, the new Elijah, the Son of David.
Religious practice in the English-speaking world has become very casual, to use a kindly term. ‘Slipshod’ might be a better way to describe what we see going on. I am not simply referring to casual liturgical practice but even to the way people dress when coming to church and how they stand and kneel. Many of those who come to church do so in order to fulfill an obligation as painlessly as possible. There is no enthusiasm, joy, or engagement of the person. It seems to many that attending church is like getting on a bus.
We should work to change this slipshod approach. We should dress as if we were going to the worship of God and not to the beach. We should sing and respond to the prayers, and personally we should pray. When the liturgy is over, then we should joyfully greet our fellow Christians.
If all this seems strange and unreal, then go and pray with the poor. Like the crowd that welcomed Jesus, they will show you what to do.”
Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
~James 2:5
Prayer:
“O Lord Jesus Christ, You come as our friend and also as our King. We look to You for consolation and understanding, and we should also look to You with adoration and thanksgiving. As this Holy Week begins, help us to realize that You are our suffering and crucified King, the poor little One, but nonetheless the One we shall worship at the end of our lives as King of kings and Lord of lords. Amen.”
~Benedict Groeschel
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