Who Loves a Parade?

For anyone who grew up in a small town there is a certain charm to a parade. The high school band is all tuned-up (or, close enough), folks bring out their lawn chairs, kids sit on the curb, it seems as if everyone is there and surrounding it all is a positive energy so tangible one remembers it years later.

The most recent parade I attended was the Penguins victory parade through downtown Pittsburgh following the winning of their third Stanley Cup. A friend of mine referred to it as "the march of the penguins."

The beginning of Holy Week starts with a parade. Jesus on a donkey, surrounded by his followers, a throng of townspeople waving palm branches and shouting, "Hosanna!" For a moment, stay with the parade, don't look ahead, remain with the energy of the day. This is it --- the moment long waited for...finally, a triumphant entry into the holy city of Jerusalem....now is the time for the reign to begin and for Rome to be removed from power.

In the midst of this, I see Jesus calm, observant, quiet, perhaps a small smile as he watches seated a bit apart from the party. He has to enjoy seeing the energy and exuberance of his friends. He has to be bothered by the underpinning plans for overthrow.

Where is your focus during this parade? Are you too caught up in the energy and rush of the event? Are you enjoying the exuberant actions of others, caught up in people watching?

I encourage each of us to let our focus of the week be on the Christ. Draw close enough to watch, hear, understand.

sj;

Focus

As we prepare for Palm Sunday and the start of Holy Week, no matter how many times I read the story the line, "He set his face towards Jerusalem" always stops me and causes me to reflect.

The line speaks of a clear intention, a focus, a lived commitment to one's why. The line marks the beginning of the final journey to Jerusalem and the Passion.

I would like that kind of commitment and intention. Instead, my attention would be more on watching Jesus and certainly not knowing what was to come. I would be high-fiving and celebrating loudly at the Palm Sunday parade and missing the bigger picture, that the event was the start of something, not the main reason.

The passion and the humanity on full display draws us to Holy Week; the insight into the Christ and the revelation of a God of radical love re-members us to who we are.

Make the journey of Holy Week. Commit to attending the services. Be intentional about the events of the week.

Read. Reflect. Respond. Renew.

sj;

May the odds be ever in your favor...

OK, so I'm one of the many, many who are caught up in the "Hunger Games" craze! Honestly, when the first person told me about the book's premise: a group of children fight to the death --- my reaction was why would anyone want to read that?!!!?

Then, my niece, Lydia, told me about it and said that I should read it. Sold.

I began reading the first book and was sucked into the story immediately. Upon finishing the second one, I promptly ordered the third book on my Kindle. I'm 1/4 of the way through this final book...don't even think of telling me how it ends....pardon that harsh threat yet I still have never gotten over my neighbor telling me that Darth Vader was Luke Sykwalker's father.....

Of course, last evening, I went to see the film and really enjoyed it and am confident I will see it again. What's good is how the movie remains very loyal to the book.

So, what's the draw to this series? First, the strong female character who is resourceful, smart, courageous, strong, and a leader is grand enough reason for every young woman to read this trilogy. Second, perhaps we too can muster courage to stand against all that oppresses. Third, maybe it will cause us to re-think reality television and, oh, I don't know, actually have folks with talent be stars...I'm just saying.....

Throughout all this, I think it is always a good thing when a book series gets kids reading.....that reminds me....I need to go read.....

sj;