passions

(With apologies to Kip--skip down below)

And so it begins, the journey of Holy Week. This morning we will bless palm fronds and process from the back door of the church around to the front, waving palms and feeling pretty much like idiots (at least I always do!). We then file into the church and parade around singing (for those who are "into it--others simply go to their seats).

When we get to the gospel reading all of sudden Jesus has been arrested and faces execution. And is killed. Huh? I've never heard anyone stop to ask, "what was the procession all about--what happened at the end of it, didn't he make a speech or something? Have a big rally and party?" That would be, no.

I've been learning about the procession of late as I have been reading Marcus Borg's and John Dominic Crossan's book The Last Week, which details each day in the life of Jesus (according to the gospel of Mark) from Palm Sunday through Easter. There is so much more going on in this procession than what we learn from what is recorded in scripture. So much more (too much to entertain here, alas). Suffice to say that it's worth pondering these few verses and asking the questions that don't have ready answers, to push our thinking past the all too familiar images and rituals to ask "what is really going on here?" As my New Testament professor would ask--what's at stake? There are times when the best we can do is ask the questions and consider the possible answers without trying to nail them down with certainty. I am trying to do that today as I lead a procession and and stand humbly with the task of offering commentary in the form of a sermon after reading that Jesus has breathed his last.

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In more mundane matters, McKinlee was a major hit at yesterday's gathering of yard-salers and subsequent cookout. She disliked intensely being in her pen and amused us all by trying to climb out of it (shades of Ema!). She was accused (with humor) of being a drama queen, but I think it's more likely that she simply dislikes being separated from the gang. She is soooo a people person. She was only in the pen while we ate, and was otherwise content to lie at someone's feet, be held, or follow someone around. For the most part she wasn't interested in wandering and, when tempted to wander, was faithful in responding to the call of her name and the invitation to "come!" Good dog!

And at breakfast this morning Ken and I had a rousing conversation about gun control. These are usually intense exchanges, but not surprisingly so when you consider that I'm a pacifist and he's a military man and a hunter. We actually are in very close agreement about gun control matters, but he gets pretty passionate about expressing his view.

Wishing you passion in your day, of whatever kind fills your heart. (Jules, Kip and Janet, wish I could join you!)