REFLECTION FOR MARCH 16 – Mary Kercher

Today’s Passage from The Bible: Mark 11:1-10 

When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, “Why are you doing this?” just say this, “The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.” 

They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, ‘What are you doing, untying the colt?’ They told them what Jesus had said, and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!  Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’

Reflection – Mary Kercher

Palm Sunday is always such a joyous occasion. We gather outside with our palms that have been blessed and everyone loves the cute little donkey decorated with flowers as we sing and wave our palms processing through the streets of LaPlata just as the people in Jesus’ day sang “Hosanna, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” 

As a tenth-grade English teacher, I was assigned by the curriculum to teach Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar every year. The part that always got me was how the crowds welcomed Caesar home, singing his praises. Then after Brutus killed Caesar, these same people were so easily persuaded that his death was necessary. The crowd mentality is so easily ready to be on the popular or current political side. 

Where will you be on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday of Holy Week? These are times to look inward and see who you are in relation to your God and His Son, and to gain a closer bond to the One who loves you so much, He was willing to die for that love. 

Lord, help us to walk with you through Holy Week and discover new insights about our relationship with you. Amen.