DAY 83

BORN TO RIDE…

Joshua 16, 17 & 18 and Luke 2:1-24

The readings from Joshua continue the narrative of the tribes of Israel taking their portion of the land. You have no doubt noticed some disgruntle-ness; also notice that they did not rid the land of the Canaanites. This situation will come back to haunt them.

My mind goes to the birth narrative of Jesus and that this is Palm Sunday. Jesus was born to ride…born to ride into Jerusalem as the chosen unblemished Lamb of God. At the Cathedral where I serve our Palm Sunday Procession is wonderful. After the Palms are blessed, everyone processes to the hymn “All glory laud and honor” and then when we are almost all the way around the Cathedral, as we are about to approach the High Altar that hymn ends, we pray a beautiful prayer, and then we sing another hymn “Ride on”. This hymn’s refrain is “Ride on, ride on, in majesty” which sounds grand. Yet the music and the lyrics tell a different story. The music is in a minor key lending a tone of solemnity and the lyrics, well read for yourself: “Ride on, ride on, in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die; Bow Thy meek head to mortal pain, Then take, O God, Thy power, and reign.” The point is simple. As we celebrate Jesus coming to Jerusalem, the Triumphal Entry is put into perspective – it comes at a cost – an infinite cost. Jesus was born to ride on…Jesus was born to die. Let us pray: Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.