Psalm 118: 1-2; 19-29, Luke 19: 28-40, Isaiah 50: 4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Psalm 31:9-16, Luke 22:14-23; 56, Luke 23: 1-49 

“A Choice” by Lauren Wright Pittman

Our Lenten journey heads toward its end with the beating of palm branches.  What do they signal?  The coming of a king?  The suffering of a servant?  Artist Lauren Wright Pittman offers the following reflections: 

“Jesus offers us a layered and complicated choice, one that is as complex as his own dualistic nature. The first option is self-denial, a heavy burden, and a lost—but saved—life. The second is gaining the whole world, but forfeiting life. It’s easy for a seasoned Christian to take this choice for granted. This choice that Jesus calls us into may even seem like a no brainer, but in this moment, Jesus teaches of the terrors that will befall him and invites the crowd to knowingly face that path alongside him. If we’re honest, it is extremely difficult to reject the tempting power and wealth this world has to offer and allow our life to take the shape of good news for all. 

The choice isn’t an obvious one. One side looks like an opulent pile of riches, a crown, and endless power, while the other looks like tattered and worn hands with new life blooming out of wounds, work, burdens and relationships. This choice may seem like a distant decision made long ago, but it’s a decision to be made every single day, one moment at a time. In working for and with the downtrodden, poor, orphaned, widowed, ostracized, and oppressed, we will find ourselves.”

The coming Holy Week calls each of us to answer Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?”  Our response is found in how we invest our lives. 

God, deliver me from the evil temptation of power, privilege, and wealth into wounds, work, and relationships so that love will supremely reign.  Amen. 

Kelly Moreland Jones, Trainer & Self Service Analyst 

Administrative Technology 

 

Image link: (http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57082)