When that happens we mostly want things, people, God back in alignment. In the midst of turmoil life, people, and maybe even God do not line up with our expectations and what we have come to believe. Turmoil challenges our beliefs and faith, confronts the way we have always done things, makes us question where we are going.
Think about a time of turmoil in your life and you will likely recall how the foundations of your world were shaken. Each of us could name and describe our personal turmoil. It’s in the fear and uncertainty of our future, the loss of financial security, a broken marriage, estrangement between parent and child, the disease that interrupts life’s plans. We see it in world events and we experience it in our own lives. Look at present day Jerusalem, the wars, fighting, and protests throughout the Middle East, the American political and economic systems and you will see the symptoms of the turmoil that fills the heart of humanity. The human heart is the most troubled place in our world. The most troubled place in the world is not, however, a geographic location. It has a history of killing the prophets, fighting wars, and living in violence. It is a place of struggle, conflict and confrontation. Today Jesus is entering the most troubled place in the world. When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.” A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, “Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her untie them and bring them to me. The following sermon is based on the Palm Sunday gospel, Matthew 21:1-11.
Today’s liturgy brings together the palms and the passion with two readings from the Gospel according to St. The collect and readings for today, Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday, may be found here.
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