When Jesus Arrives - Matthew 21 - Palm Sunday Year A

When Jesus Arrives

Tony E Hansen

Reflection based upon Matthew 21:1-11, Psalm 118

Opening prayer

What is it like to go somewhere and suddenly see a parade procession… I can tell you from my experience putting together events, I am amazed at the events of Matthew’s gospel. This usually takes quite a bit of planning and permits these days. 

There is something- someone different here.

Jesus arrives with a normal group of people. Couple disciples fetch a colt and donkey.

Jesus gets on them and they proceed to go to the city. Before they go into the city, there is a crowd of people outside the walls. The outcasts, those without privilege, those who beg and more. Along the way to the gate of the city, these people just organically toss whatever they have before Jesus. They toss cloaks down, take branches and put them along the way.  

Suddenly, they burst into chants from Psalm 118. “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord…” This whole scene is lifted from the psalm. With blessings and love proclaimed for everyone. It is a festival today. It is a great day and a joy to be in the presence of divine (even if we or they don’t know it)

Perhaps a poor person’s way to greet and welcome to a city.  

Think about it, Not everyone in the crowd knew who Jesus is or was.  Not everyone heard the same stories or had the same hopes.  We don’t know what has been said, whether true or exaggerated or otherwise. Like today today, people may have heard of Jesus - have you?

You could be like me and be the last person in the room to hear about the person - the birthday girl!  (After all, we were invited via friends or spouse. )

The Romans had a particular way of announcing and processing to demonstrate their greatness before the conquered people. Usually with large armies, icons of the emperor, conquered in cages, and people expected to “make way!” 

There is something quite different here.  No emperors, no soldiers , no weapons, no trumpets and drums, No heralds on the street announcing nor caged conquered to be mocked. 

There is Jesus. The man, the myth, the mystic, the legend, the savior, the hope! We don’t know all of the stories people heard about Jesus, but heard about Jesus they have. Finally, in living presence there for all to see and in such subdued procession.

How do we greet Jesus ? If we have people telling us “hey that’s him”, would we would “make way?”  

What would go through our minds and what are we thinking, given the opportunity to meet and see Jesus - right there before us? What do we think when we witness the divine presence? 

Brush it off as nothing? Ignore the Spirit as happenstance? 

When we see others doing the work, reaching out, and celebrating the life and the divine they see, do we celebrate with them ? Do we really have to be of the same beliefs? 

For some, Jesus represents hope, for some Jesus represents respite from oppression - the possible, a way out of this existence. Jesus is everything we hope and everything we need. 

Why not celebrate? Besides, we should stand against the corruption of the powerful, the privileged, those with status and those who want to go to war using our children and our labor.  

In this moment, we can have some life in our lives. We can be with Jesus right here, right now. How great is that?

No speeches, no costumes - just people spontaneously celebrating. Sometimes, we need that. Sometimes we need to just let loose and let the moment take us. For our days are full of griefs and work, why not spend some time with joy - with grace - a sabbath for all. 

Yes the Lord’s steadfast love endures and will be forever, as the psalmist writes. The Lord enters through the gate of our lives, but question for us is, are we ready to receive this blessing?  Are we ready to proclaim, or are we too skeptical? Cynical? Or flat out rejecting?

We don’t know backgrounds of the people or why they are there, whether the ethnicity, religious beliefs, piety, labor, or what not. We don’t know if they will be part of those that turn on Jesus later. 

It is worthy to note how fickle crowds can be and how dangerous people can influence crowds to do the wrong. That could be you or me in this crowd and the ones turning on him later. 

Don’t believe me?  How many times have you witnessed God’s grace in the homeless, the youth, the scared, the poor but turned away? 

Let us witness Jesus today in our hearts and let that carry us .

In this moment, Jesus is here and now! 

Jesus is there and they are celebrating. Maybe we should thank God for our Blessings today. Lets be grateful for what God does for us!

In the moment of Lent, for all of the struggle, the repentance, waiting for expectations, what we have given up, there is respite, there is hope, there is life today and now. 

Beloved let us give thanks!

Blessed be the one who comes in the name of the Lord !

We say “You are my God and I will give thanks to you...”

Amen. 

What Happens Next - John 11 - Lent 5A

What Happens Next

Tony E Hansen

Sermon based upon John 11; Ezekiel 37:1-14, Psalm 130; romans 8: 6-11

Opening Prayer

When I was a young boy, ABC broadcaster a movie called “The Day After.” For those of you who never saw it. Let me give you some context.  At the height of the Cold War, there were genuine scares due to missiles in Cuba and then we had this movie in the early 80s. 

This movie went beyond the “what-if” questions and showed, in spectacular gruesome detail, what could be possible if the Americans and Soviets launched nuclear war.  Set in Lawrence, KS as well as Kansas City made this instantly recognizable and even more scary how close this could get; how places I knew could turn to ash, farms turned worthless, animals dead in fields, millions evaporated, and structures vanish. 

No one stops it nor protects us from what happens next.

We can turn off the video or TV and then go about our day like nothing happened; but this movie did not shy from the idea that all life, all places and all people (even the rural middle of America) are impacted by war. 

Question: Why are we so willing to send kids into harms way? For politicians’ egos? Why talk? Bomb them instead… Why see other people as real, loving people - as loving parents, brothers and sisters? (Besides, let’s put our good expensive equipment to use.) 

It doesn’t have to be nuclear annihilation. Some person is driving a truck to work - suddenly is burning rubble. Kids at school don’t come home to parents. Your home and business destroyed; food supply reduced to a trickle: a military-induced famine.

What are people supposed to feel ? Thanks I needed that. Just take one-on-the-chin from bullies? Usually, one side gets mad - retaliates. I mean: how dare someone retaliate? 

Is that how we should feel if a bully attacks us? 

What happened in response to 9-11? Did we take time to learn anything or turn the other cheek? Like most, I wanted to punch back! Someone has to pay for my grief, my shock!

While people were still crying from rubble, and questions were many, America responded with missiles, with invasive laws, with invasions. That continues today in Iran. Why? To prove America is tough? 

When does it end? Mutual Annihilation? 

Are we safer or looking around the corner ? -> No is the answer. Further, we trade liberty for false security. 

The problem is that violent attacks perpetuate the next violence.  (You may have knocked me down now, but revenge will be served.)  That is how bullies create their future terrorists: even bullies’  own demise. 

(Interesting how movies, like KarateKid, romanticize these themes, but we never see ourselves as instigators.)

Lessons get lost in anger. Again, someone has to pay for sore pain and grief. Osama hit us; we responded in full force and beyond eye-for-an-eye for more than 20 years. We use that attack to justify wars upon unrelated people without the slightest concern for future repercussions. 

Instead of shepherding the world into Christ’s vision of cooperation and welcome, America took more sinister route - submitted to devilish temptations. Now, as the bully, there will be retaliation, vindication. 

War consumes.

Unlike the sensation of explosion videos, there is no escape from war. 

When we ignore the divine lessons, that continues. 

In John’s gospel, we witness the familiar text of Jesus raising his friend (Martha’s and Mary’s brother) Lazarus.

When the tower of Siloam fell, Jesus showed grief in discussing the tragedy. That was death from afar.  Yet death happens and grief surrounds death.

Unlike casual death from afar, there is no escape from death or grief.

There are powerful, real emotions that surround grief. 

Denial: “Lord if he has fallen asleep, he will be alright…” 

Anger - questioning:  “Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have..”

Loss and weeping. Even Jesus couldn’t stop from crying over this experience.  

For some the anger turns to hate and revenge - someone needs to pay…

Why? Death is real and inevitable for us mortals, and like Paul says, flesh will die. That is unavoidable truth. It is part of our lives to witness death around us.

What happens then? We are living now. We can witness the stories reported, but are we just spectators? Our response ought to consider whether we use raw emotions (the flesh) or lean into the Spirit.  

Jesus, the Lamb, could not escape death or the grief that surrounds it. 

Jesus doesn’t judge Mary, Martha, or the disciples for their grief . He does not link sin to the events. No false purity test of righteousness.

Jesus doesn’t rattle off nonsensical rhetoric to pacify but perhaps leans into the story of Ezekiel and how the four winds resurrected dry bones in a valley.

Jesus does not mince words, “Lazarus is dead…” Jesus consoles. Despite threats of violence and more, Jesus goes to be with them. 

He is grieving, especially upon seeing the sisters swimming in emotion. Jesus leans into the Spirit, consoles and lifts up.

The sisters also lean into their faith and trust.  What happens next is a sign of their faith. Lazarus wakes up and is present.

Instead of turning our hurt and pain into hostility, anger and hate of violence, we can do something else. Instead of looking for someone to blame… 

We ought to be helping others lift up the fallen, hold ones stricken with sorrow, and guide vengeful anger towards compassion and forgiveness. 

I wonder what the world would look like if America paused, before sending bombs and troops, to ask if we should and how far we should go? 

I wonder what our world would be like if we spent the money used on the bombs and military gear instead upon people and lifting up people. 

Seems like DOGE could have found significant savings along with global goodwill, and American idealism by redirecting money for violence sake towards values for Christ’s sake.

When we do that, then thoughts of nuclear holocaust are just a movie and perhaps an old idea needing to be retired.  I fear, instead, we may have reminded the world what unrestrained violence and unmitigated bullying does.

Let us pray that we remember Jesus example before its too late and that the coming retaliation be merciful in execution. Let us pray we heed the lessons of history and Ezekiel’s witness of dry bones after war and restoration. May God breathe into our dry bones and hearts the living Spirit. 

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!

Amen

Can you see - John 9 - Lent 4A

Can you see?

Tony E Hansen

Sermon based upon John 9; Psalm 23; 1 Samuel 16:1-13.

 

Opening prayer.

Happy St Patricks Day! I have a brisket and cabbage in the waiting.  If you choose to partake with various liquid spirits, be safe and responsible.

Our reading this week takes us to Jesus performing a sign: healing a blind man.  Jesus throws mud on a guy’s face, them washing in a river and then returning for examination.

This turns into another theological debate. Let us consider this in terms of what we read recently.

Remember that Jesus was tempted to be able to change stones to bread to serve himself (give into temptation) and get accolades (glory) and to change systems regardless of consequences. Jesus simply doesn’t, nor now.

These works are for God’s judgment when time to execute, on God’s time. 

Jesus makes intentional use of these gifts to teach.

 

In this lesson, the issue immediately suggests people think disability/otherness are implications of unworthy, outsiders, or contemptible. (John 9:2)

 

The question is raised whether some sin causes blindness?  This is how people see God exercising judgements. Harsh! 

Being born is not a shameful deed because being human with imperfections is the root of all humanity. We are all God’s children.

Didn’t bother to ask anything about the person, what they like to do and such. Immediately, what is wrong, and somehow, another implication is they are responsible for it.

 

Condescending and evil. 

Attitudes like that start unnecessary wars because some weird idea of that people are undeserving of being or unworthy of respect.

Where do we get off thinking that one is less than us because of their particulars?

We can witness the most able-bodied, physically athletic person, with good looks and intelligence still be a cocky, selfish jackass. What did his or her parents do cause their malady - what could that person have done?

In contrast, there are people with handicaps (some physical - some not so seen) who have spirit that fills a room with energy, love and compassion. 

Jesus tells us, this guy was born blind so that the works of God might be displayed through him. 

 

People often overlook people without realizing how much they contribute to our world, and our lives.  Remember last week how the disciples looked right over the Samaritan woman. In the first reading, Jesse looks over his own son, David - doesn’t even bring him before Samuel until asked.

My UBFM friends (we meet every Thursday) find time to help feed the homeless not to get accolades and thanks, but something much bigger than the group. 

We share “God moments” from time on the street. You just don’t know what you will encounter, but these are real, revelations and heart-felt. Someone is thankful we remembered their name;  another, we didn’t shame: one is grateful to even be acknowledged and more. We don’t do much but just show up with grace, love, respect and hospitality. What we get is almost indescribable.  

We could be like others, overlook them or find other things to do with our days, but we instead choose to see them and be with people. That, Beloved, is all the difference that one may decide to stay living or find encouragement to better themselves. 

 

People still don’t want to believe this is possible. In the story in John, the people don’t believe the man is healed. They don’t want to see what they literally just observed. Why deny what is right in front of you? What blinders are we wearing that prevents us from seeing the possible of God?

 

They cant believe that someone can change. 

My son reminded me of this in recent conversation that we can’t get so one-sided we forget people have legitimate feelings who maybe never experience what we have. By sharing stories together, we can little-by-little plant seeds to influence those feelings. He is correct.

People will have revelations, change of heart and more - given time. People are troubled all around us. Someday it will click and work out. We leave space for God to happen, and then, that day arrives… let us together celebrate.

Some may get upset that friends aren’t taking advice. People have to sometimes trip over themselves to realize lifting feet helps. We may want to give up on people we have suggested several times when they still don’t do anything. People can be quite stubborn, but revelation isn’t ours to deliver.

They don’t have to take the path I think they might need because their path is for them to find. I can offer seeds, perspective, suggestions and walk with someone to healing. Heed that or not, we have to come to God with own pace.

 

Thus, I can tell you all the truths from my adventures on the street. If you have it in your mind that is not possible, let alone truth, God cannot reveal to you that which you could learn. 

Yet consider, what else are you missing when we close ourselves off?

 

For Jesus has come into this world so that blind could see and those who see become blind. This sounds like Mark “first becoming last and the last becoming first.” What don’t you see that God is showing you?

 

Question for us is not to look with disfavor upon people appearing to lack capability, resources or otherwise. What part of our lives needs healing, some work? What part of the mind disables us from allowing God and personal forgiveness?

 

We may be able to see with eyes, but look with God’s vision. Are we seeing God’s work in our midsts? That is what I think Jesus means “if you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin, but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”  We hold onto ego, debts, trespasses against us and against others and internalize that. 

What good is that doing for us? I submit that blind us from what is truly possible.

When we let go of our ego and righteousness - let the Spirit teach and guide, there is eternity of possible. There are green pastures, still waters and restoration because with our Creator, there’s goodness, mercy all our days.

 

Thanks Be to God!

May God grant us courage to seek peace and bring wars to an end.

Amen.