Holy Week
A Holy Week Poem by Ann Weems

Where have the forty days of Lent gone?
We've had forty days to remember who Jesus is,
Forty days to find out who Jesus is,
Forty days to look and to listen to this man from Nazareth,
this man who walked into the hearts of the people,
this man who "stirred their imagination,"
this man who is still walking into the hearts of his people,
still stirring the imagination of the people,
Holy Week is upon us.
We will raise our palms in joyful recognition!
We do know him.
Surely we do know him....

When He approached Bethphage and Bethany, near the mountain that is called Olivet, He sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village ahead of you; there, as you enter, you will find a colt tied, on which no one yet has ever sat; untie it and bring it here. And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’”

So those who were sent left and found it just as He had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?”

They said, “The Lord has need of it.” And they brought it to Jesus, and they threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. Now as He was going, they were spreading their cloaks on the road.

And as soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, shouting: “Blessed is the King, the one who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

And yet some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples!” Jesus replied, “I tell you, if these stop speaking, the stones will cry out!”

-- Luke 19:29–40

Reflection
This year we have faced an extraordinary time when our own worship practices have been upended. We miss the services as a community to sing, pray together, share the peace, pass the sacraments, hear God’s word preached in person and receive the blessing. Technology has made the services available and we are grateful for this new experience for worship. One time when I was at home watching the service, I was very moved by hearing the Lord’s Prayer and it was me leading the prayer on the prerecorded service! I discovered in a real way that God does receive our worship both in the church and in our homes. Many people work to provide the opportunity for all of us to worship as a congregation from many locations. Until we gather together again, each of us can keep the flame of love for God burning in our hearts as we reflect on God’s Spirit, always with us.

-- Louise Rogers