April 10, 2022 Lectionary Texts — Year C
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Luke 19:28-40
View Lectionary

It was a fairly easy artistic task this week to add a spray of blushing green palm leaves to this composition. I enjoyed the simplicity of laying down several coats of gold followed by a top layer of pale olive green metallic. It was nice and I’m pleased with the result.
Palm Sunday is a really nice celebration. It’s joyful and upbeat. There’s no need to hold back one’s enthusiasm. Palm Sunday at it’s core, and the reason it has long been celebrated by Christians the world over, is an opportunity to welcome Christ and celebrate his work and worth. But it is also known as a day to commit or recommit to following Christ. The welcoming part is easy, the following is where it gets a bit more complex.
This brought to mind Soren Kierkegaard thoughts on the subject of admirers versus followers…

Does not the Way — Christ’s requirement to die to the world and deny self — does this not contain…danger? The admirer never makes any true sacrifices. He always plays it safe. Though in word he is inexhaustible about how highly he prizes Christ, he renounces nothing, will not reconstruct his life, and will not let his life express what it is he supposedly admires. Not so for the follower. No, no. The follower aspires with all his strength to be what he admires. — Soren Kierkegaard

What thoughts do you have?
What comes easy to your life of faith? What is challenging?
Who are you in the crowd as Jesus rides past?
Are you an admirer? Are you a follower?

The Eternal is the True God; He shines His light on us. Let the feast begin. Bring the sacrifice, and tie it to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I give You thanks; You are my God, and I praise You. Give thanks to our Eternal Lord; He is always good. He never ceases to be loving and kind. — Psalm 118:27-29