Rev. George Miller
April 23, 2025
Luke 19:29-44
Here we are, a pivotal point, when Jesus enters
the city; a man who is bravely ready to face whatever is ahead.
Jesus- the babe born in a manger; a child
cradled by Simeon; the storyteller and Son Transfigured.
Jesus is at that moment, with feet firmly
planted at the Mount of Olives. He could
decide to stay, run away, or courageously move forward.
Move forward he does; riding on a donkey. As Jesus moves towards his destiny, the
people remove their coats, shedding their outer selves.
Not just the male disciples, but the
female benefactors who would’ve been there, this Sussane, this Joanna, this
Mary Magdelene who was always so faithful.
Each Gospels tells a different
account. Mark says folk spread leafy
branches, shouting “Hosanna! Hosanna in
the highest heaven!”
Matthew states they cut tree branches, shouting
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
John tells us the crowd took branches from
palm trees shouting “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the
Lord- the King of Isreal!”
Luke hints at a more intimate affair. Instead of leafy greens or clippings from
palm trees, the disciples joyfully praise God-
“Blessed is the king; peace in heaven and
glory in the highest heaven.”
It's as if Luke is wanting us to focus on
the ways of heaven, the ways of God’s kingdom, the ways of peace.
When Jesus enters the city, he weeps. Not little boo-hoos, or a single tear from
his eye. He sobs, his chest heaves, he
feels sorrow in his womb, his bones.
He says “If only; if only you recognized
and realized what made peace, things would be so much simpler.”
Jesus weeps. If only we realized
what makes peace, life would be so much simpler.
St. Lucas- we are blessed. We are blessed with smart, gifted individuals
who know how to fix things, runs things.
There are those like PJ who know how to
teach, energizing us about the Christmas story and Jesus’ last week.
PJ shared how she says the Lord’s Prayer. It’s the same words, but with a pause-
“Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be
thy name. Thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on Earth.
…..as it is in heaven.”
PJ does this to emphasize her theology,
how much of Jesus’ ministry is about making Heaven known here on earth.
This way of praying focuses on how we
live, interact, love, how we find ways to make peace, do justice, embrace
kindness right here, right now.
Praying “Thy will be done on Earth”
adds an important layer to what it means and looks like to live as Christ’s
follower. And it is not so hard.
Jesus spent his entire ministry telling us
with words, stories, demonstrating with his body.
Jesus weeps, but he doesn’t have to; there
are ways of peace, such as beholding, like Simeon, the holy in each
child.
Welcoming youth to be part of worship,
just as 12-year-old Jesus in the Temple, learning, listening, asking questions.
Those are simple ways to bring peace and
participate in God’s will done on earth.
Seeing, actually seeing people, with all their
flaws, bravely stretching out our hand, listening to what they say, offering
words of comfort and support.
Recognizing those who are poor, hungry,
not as someone to ignore but as blessed and worthy of being treated as such.
Finding ways to love your enemy but not
giving them the OK to continue hurting you.
These are ways to bring peace and
participate in God’s will done on earth.
Welcoming those of another faith,
respecting the foreigner, realizing the work of women, eating with the outcast.
Seeing God in the shepherd who works in
the field, the woman who sweeps, those who work the land.
Seeing God as the Daddy who runs and
embraces, not just the child who was away but also the one who is angry and
upset.
These are ways to bring peace and
participate in God’s will done on earth.
From meals to meadows, shorelines to
cities, Parables to intimate acts of healing, Jesus has shown all of us -
The ways to bring peace and participate in
God’s will done on earth.
We do not have to die to experience
Heaven; we can live and love, strive and thrive to find ways to make Heaven
here on earth.
So while the world waves branches of palm
and crowds shout “Hosanna!,”
While both male and female disciples sing
out “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” ,
let us continue to find our ways to
participate in making God’s will be done here on earth.
We till the ground, we remove that which
has gotten in the way, we plant seeds.
We water, we prune, we weed, we make it so
that “Love Lives Here.”
Why?
Because we have been transforming lives since 1880. And the “why?’ is sitting right beside you.
Let us say “Amen.”
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