Saturday, March 23, 2013

 

Luke 19:28-40; Is. 50:4-9a; Ps. 31:9-16;Phil. 2:5-11; Luke 22:14-23:56

 

Philippians 2:9 "Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,…"

 

            The path out of the desert now comes into view. The church approaches Palm Sunday and the Three Days.  These Lenten days, which began with ash and confession, reach their culmination in Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, his new commandment, his death, and – behold! I am doing a new thing! – Christ’s rising from the grave. Out of winter, spring. Out of the wilderness, a river. Out of darkness, light. Out of barrenness, fruit. Out of sorrow, joy. Out of death, life.

            Christ will step out into the spring morning with a new day and a song of joy for all those who have experienced trials, dust, dryness, fear, sorrow, death. “Rise, heart, thy Lord is risen; Who takes thee by the hand, that thou likewise with him mayst rise.” (George Herbert)

 

O God, our springtime, blessed are you, for you fulfill your promise of new life. May we all, baptized in your living water through Christ, live as radiant signs of your grace, mercy, and steadfast love, for your glory shines through all ages of ages. Amen

 

• Place a candle at the grave of someone you love. (A tradition of Lazarus Saturday, the day before Palm Sunday)