He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey‘Hosanna to the Son of David’Palm SundayApril 2020Rev. A. D. Hall He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey‘Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord’Thank you for navigating to this page, I do hope this short reflection about Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday leaves you with something to think about and helps you begin your journey into Holy Week this yearWe have probably all heard, said or sung the phrases - ‘Hosanna to the Son of David” and ‘Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord.’But what do they mean, just what was Jesus saying to the people in His day and How do they relate to us today in our world?A good way of understanding Jesus’ ministry is by focusing on what he did rather than what he said; and even when he does speak, his words are reflections on his actions.His entry into Jerusalem on a donkey is so often seen as a sign of his humility, his majesty clothed in meekness. When actually it was a deliberate, politically and religiously provocative act. a statement to those in the crowd that day who knowing the scriptures would be able to directly relate this to the prophecy in Zechariah; they knew what Jesus was saying. Take time to meditate upon the image above, try to imagine yourself in the story.Jerusalem was in a fever like state, people were shouting, screaming, singing, noise, noise, noise, like never before. At the same time knives were being sharpened, loose tongues were wagging, fingers were being pointed.All around people were saying, - “He is coming, the Messiah is here!”As our Palm gospel reminds us, two of his disciples had gone on ahead as instructed and found a donkey tied up with a colt, they untied them and brought them to Jesus. All they had to say was “The Lord has need of them.” As this drama began to unfold, again his disciples were learning the lesson, “Do as he tells you!”Receiving the animals Jesus smiled, this was something he often did, smiled. It made such an impact on so many occasions, his smile was able to convey, a calmness and surety, as often the Disciples were at sixes and sevens, not knowing, what, how, why or when they needed to do things. Perhaps just like us now?What was in Jesus’ heart as he rode along on a donkey? For sure he knew the shallowness of much of the praise, he also knew the holiness of it all too. He was fully aware that the people who were proclaiming him king, included a range of people; the devoted, the zealots, pharisees, and the religious types, simple everyday folk, people who just happened to be going to Jerusalem, almost by accident?He also knew that this ride of triumph was in fact a ride towards his death, and that this same crowd who praised him would in a few days’ time be shouting for his crucifixion, with just the same ignorance and lack of understanding. The majesty and triumph of this moment were laced with fear and sadness for him, each step forward a crushing blow to his flesh and spirit. Perhaps on one level that’s why he chose the colt, an innocent unbridled, to help him journey into the darkness that awaited him. But there was no turning back, his mind was set, firmly fixed on the task at hand. Love compelled him forward, love was the reason, he was willing to go into the place where he was to be despised, misunderstood and rejected.His love for us; a “Love that never ends, but bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” was his reason.Friends, let us take hold of Christ’s love for us this week, let it take root in our hearts, so that as we follow Christ’s journey to the cross we may experience his true resurrection when we celebrate Easter.I leave you with the words of George Herbert; priest and scholar, 1593 - 1632LoveLOVE bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back, Guilty of dust and sin.But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack From my first entrance in,Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning If I lack’d anything.‘A guest,’ I answer’d, ‘worthy to be here:’ Love said, ‘You shall be he.’‘I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear, I cannot look on Thee.’Love took my hand and smiling did reply, ‘Who made the eyes but I?’‘Truth, Lord; but I have marr’d them: let my shame Go where it doth deserve.’‘And know you not,’ says Love, ‘Who bore the blame?’ ‘My dear, then I will serve.’‘You must sit down,’ says Love, ‘and taste my meat.’ So I did sit and eat.
Thought for the Day 4th April 2002Storing up TreasuresEvery Tuesday and Friday the Euromillions Lottery is drawn and anyone who takes part hopes to win the jackpot. Everyone has a plan in place with regard to what they would spend the bonanza on:A new palatial house, a dream car, a holiday of a lifetime, a yacht, a second- or even third- home, a trust fund for our family, a donation to charity….the list could go on and on. You could really store a few treasures and be very comfortable for the rest of your life.But could there be a downside? Might we become obsessed with wealth? Might we move away from our family and friends? Might we gather ‘hangers-on’ and people we feel we can’t trust? Would loneliness and isolation beckon us?Whoever and wherever we are, the Corona virus pandemic has made us all take a sharp intake of breath and evaluate what is important and vital.My Mam, who was a very wise woman, had a saying:‘An ounce of love and kindness when someone is alive is worth more than a ton of regret when they are gone.’ - She very quietly lived her life being true to that phrase.As I look around and watch the news, I see so many acts of love and kindness: neighbourly acts and true concern and love for the communities in which we live, and the wider world. Maybe, just maybe, we are as a people of God, storing up treasures in heaven. We get a very clear guide and instruction from Jesus on how to store up our treasures in heaven when He speaks to his disciples through the Sermon on the Mount, it was a wake-up call to the disciples then, it is for us now.The corona virus crisis will eventually come to an end. I pray that, when we look back and remember, we will continue to store up treasures in heaven by our prayers, actions and love for one another.God Bless. Clement Morrison
Thought for the day 3rd of April:Set Your CompassWe live in a world of political sound bites and adversarial politics. This has led many to become cynical about political processes and to see the process of government as a necessary evil. The Covid-19 pandemic has bought into the limelight those key workers on whom our quality of life, maybe even survival, depends. We rightly praise the activities of NHS workers and those in the care industry. We are enthused by the overwhelming response to the call for volunteers and by local initiatives, which are bringing communities closer together.Meanwhile, politics goes on as normal –or does it? Whilst we may not have formed a government of national unity, political bickering has almost ceased. The nation elects a government to govern, and the present crisis requires strong, clear, incisive leadership. Imagine sitting at the centre of government; the sheer number of inputs coming into the policy-making discussions. Health, economics, security, legal rights, international obligations, not to mention the daily ongoing series of daily crises, described by Harold MacMillan as “events dear boy”. Politicians take input from technical experts and civil servants but the policy decisions are for the political leaders to take.Perhaps we should suspend our normal cynicism and instead pray that in the coming weeks and months our senior politicians draw on their judgment, wisdom and compassion and navigate us safely, in good health and financial stability, through these uncharted waters. Being reminded of these verses in;New King James Version 1Timothy 2:1-4Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.Let us Pray:A Prayer for the High Court of Parliament, to be read during their session.MOST gracious God, we humbly beseech thee, as for this Kingdom in general, so especially for the High Court of Parliament, under our most religious and gracious Queen at this time assembled: That thou wouldest be pleased to direct and prosper all their consultations to the advancement of thy glory, the good of thy Church, the safety, honour, and welfare of our Sovereign and her Dominions; that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavours, upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations. These and all other necessaries, for them, for us, and thy whole Church, we humbly beg in the Name and Mediation of Jesus Christ our most blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.Mike Davies
Thought for the Day 2nd April 2020IT'S ALL A MATTER OF TIMEIn 1995 the satirist Peter Cook died, a man who I am not sure I would have personally liked but he could be very funny. When I was young his style of comedy was very prevalent and, in my opinion, he was marvellous. One of the most famous of his “Beyond the Fringe” sketches was when he was sitting on the park bench as E.L. Whisty. He said “Yes, I could have been a judge, but I never had the Latin, never had the Latin for the judging, I just never had sufficient of it to get through the rigorous judging exams.”How many of you “have got the Latin”? Not many I expect, but many of our words are derived from Latin and many little phrases come into our everyday lives. Have a look at your clock and there is a good chance that you will find “Tempus Fugit” on the face. It means, in Latin, time flies, and it most certainly seems to especially when we do not want it to. Time is a most precious gift of God which we only get once. We can look backwards on our lives and learn from our mistakes as well as our achievements, but we cannot have that time again. Making the best use of our time is very important, and nowadays we have so many opportunities to do different and exciting things. Well, we will have again when this horrid Coronavirus is killed or cured. But if we believe that we should o’offer our lives’ to God, then we must be prepared to give him some time, as well as other gifts. Give time to God with time in prayer, the reading of the Bible, through attendance at Church and service to the community.At a school assembly some years ago I asked what week it was and a boy put his hand up and said “It's SATS week”. I was expecting the answer “Christian Aid Week”, but to an 11 year old the most important thing on his mind were his exams. Peter Cook as E.L. Whisty, had trouble with rigorous exams and all of us get tested at times and sometimes fail.I have failed one or two exams in my time and have felt pretty devastated. So many thoughts go through your mind concerning why you did not do enough revision or just did not work hard enough during the year or perhaps answered the wrong questions. But, whatever the verdict, you cannot have that exam time or the whole year again. Live for today but give time to God.Remember the words of Jesus “Do not worry about tomorrow, it will have enough worries of its own” (Matthew 6:34). This year will be a very worrying time for young people who should be taking exams. People who are good at exams might feel cheated of their opportunity to excel and those who are terrified of exams but do really well with course work will be feeling lucky, and of course teachers will perhaps relish a little bit of god like power. There will be a good few pupils who will be wishing that they had given an apple to the teacher rather than teenage cheek.With time on your hands perhaps you could say some prayers for all the youngsters at school, college or university who are worried at this time.Fr. Terry
