Thursday 26 March 2015

A Bit Of Peace And Quiet. Palm Sunday

John 12:9-19 6pm Palm Sunday HC


After the carnival....

What’s all this debris?
Trampled cloaks and palm leaves.
Damaging the trees?
Littering the environment?
Someone ought to do something.
Write to the council.
What do they teach them in schools these days.
Its all science and maths and literacy.
They need to be taught respect for the community.
I blame the parents.


There must have been some adults around.
Someone must have seen what was going on?
Too scared to stand up to them, some people.
Pathetic.
One of those extremists I expect.
Filling their heads with religious nonsense.
Promising them a kingdom
All in the name of God.


Off on some fantasy about justice and freedom and “love” I expect.
Getting our kids riled up and rebellious.
Its alright for them - they don’t have to live with them.
No thought for good hardworking taxpayers.
I hope they catch them
I hope they sort them out.
Then we can have a bit of peace and quiet.


Hanging’s too good for them.


What do people see?
The crowd shout:
Hosanna! - Save! The Lord Saves!
Blessed! - in the name of the Lord!
Blessed! - the King of Israel.
Fired up by the raising of Lazarus who was part of the group. A big deal. Hard evidence.
The rule of God breaking in!


What does Jesus see?
Danger!
“Do not be afraid O daughter of Jerusalem” says Jesus v15.
I remember the “Who wants a game of..” march and the fast ebbing enthusiasm and bravery when the cane was mentioned…. Have you ever baulked at the implications?


What do the authorities see?
Danger!
The donkey speaks of humility but those Romans are very sensitive.
They see things slipping out of their control.
Their rule is passing away.
A new kingdom is coming and they don’t like it one bit.
But what about those who came late to the party?
the ordinary ones
the ones who were out of town visiting relatives or working in the vineyard.
They didn’t see nothing.
They didn’t like all the noise and commotion of market day at the festival.
They were the silent majority.
They’d seen it all before - “messiahs” come and go. Life goes on.
If only there wasn’t all this mess everywhere.
They don’t think it will ever be the same again.
And when the carnival is over
As they emerge from the safety and security of their lives,
they ask

What’s all this debris

Trampled cloaks and palm leaves.
Damaging the trees?
Littering the environment?
Someone ought to do something.
Write to the council.
What do they teach them in schools these days.
Its all science and maths and literacy.
They need to be taught respect for the community.
I blame the parents.


There must have been some adults around.
Someone must have seen what was going on?
Too scared to stand up to them, some people.
Pathetic.
One of those extremists I expect.
Filling their heads with religious nonsense.
Promising them a kingdom
All in the name of God.


Off on some fantasy about justice and freedom and “love” I expect.
Getting our kids riled up and rebellious.
Its alright for him - he don’t have to live with them.
No thought for good hardworking taxpayers.
I hope they catch him
I hope they sort him out.
Then we can go back to our bit of peace and quiet.

Hangings too good for Him.