Hope
On Palm Sunday, as we recall Jesus entering Jerusalem, aware that he was going to his death, yet persevering with his mission nonetheless, we take time to notice that it was the hope of what lay beyond the cross, “the joy that lay before him”, which kept him going. The crowd was joyful, maybe with a different hope.
What might some of the aspects of that hope have been?
Today’s Prayer
Preparation: Begin by stilling; then dedicating the time of prayer to God and asking God that all you think, feel and imagine are for the glory of God.
Gift: Ask for what you desire. Suggestion: To know Jesus more clearly, love him more dearly, and follow him more nearly.
Setting: You may wish to imagine yourself walking with Jesus into Jerusalem, asking him as you go, what the joy was he hoped for. Imaginative Contemplation
Scripture
John 12: 12-18 NRSVACE
The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting,
‘Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—
the King of Israel!’
Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written:
‘Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion.
Look, your king is coming,
sitting on a donkey’s colt!’
His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him.
So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify.
It was also because they heard that he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him.
Conversation: Talk to Jesus in your own words as a friend
Final Prayer: End with a formal prayer such as the Lord’s Prayer/Our Father.
Today’s Music
Hosanna – Maranatha! Singers.
Hope – Jenny Ross
I cast my net into the water
Let it drift awhile
And when, by morn, it feels so light
I try again and wait,
And when the net returns with tears
I mend it ‘til it’s right
And row far out
As clouds move quickly
Where the sun still shines a light
And when the net has sunk far down
Cast on the other side
I’m weighed down now
And wait for that all kind, returning tide
Then, almost done
No strength to cope,
I turn around and see
The setting sun send out a ray
And haul my net on hope.