Monday contemplations

Palm Sunday coming up next. Actually, the church calls it "Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday". I don't remember how it was observed at First Baptist here or at East Hill Baptist Church in Pensacola when I was a boy and noticing these things, and sometimes at church with grandfather and cousins at East Hill; but in our church it's fashioned into Good Friday: someone once said in my hearing, that it's because most people don't attend church on Good Friday to hear the horror story, and you can't have Easter without Good Friday, so, okay.

Anyway, every denomination has its own customs and traditions. We get the joyful part out of the way singing "All glory, laud and honor" and then we get down to business. 

For the day we have two gospel readings on Palm Sunday, the reading before the procession that commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and the long reading that recalls Jesus' trial and crucifixion, which may be lengthened to start with the Last Supper and to add the story of Joseph of Arimathea taking Jesus' body down.

In order reasonably to read the entire gospel selection, I always omitted all the other readings, omit Isaiah, omit the Psalm, omit the Philippians reading, and hear the whole story as the gospel writer tells it, because that's what the people really come to church to hear on this day.

The gospel variances are interesting. For the triumphal entry, Matthew (21:2-7) somewhat goofily has Jesus riding in to Jerusalem astride two animals, both the colt and its mother: Matthew is up to his usual agenda of proof-texting from the Septuagint translation of the Hebrew Bible: 

"This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet (Zechariah 9:9)

9 Χαῖρε σφόδρα, θύγατερ Σειών· κήρυσσε, θύγατερ Ἰερουσαλήμ· ἰδοὺ ὁ βασιλεύς σου ἔρχεταί σοι δίκαιος καὶ σώζων αὐτός, πρᾳὺς καὶ ἐπιβεβηκὼς ἐπὶ ὑποζύγιον καὶ πῶλον νέον.

5 “Say to Daughter Zion,

    ‘See, your king comes to you,

gentle and riding on a donkey,

    and on a colt, the foal of a donkey,’”

and Matthew is a Bible literalist who does not understand the beauty and magic of parallelism and lyricism in Hebrew poetic expression. Matthew's presentation has led to ludicrous art images poking fun, and also to any number of Bible literalists seriously trying to work out how Jesus managed to do this.

Another interesting anomaly among the gospels is in Luke's presentation of the Last Supper, in which Luke tells of Jesus serving two cups of wine, one before the meal, one after. Luke evidently has his own source for description of the Last Supper, whereas Matthew seems to use Mark.

Matthew alone, incidentally, puts extra words on Jesus' lips in what the church calls the Words of Institution, adding "for the forgiveness of sins", as shown:

Mark 14:24 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many”

Matthew 26:28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 

What did Jesus actually say? Here is what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians a generation before the gospel writers:

11:25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

Luke 22:20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. [Some manuscripts do not have given for you … poured out for you - - which in Bible scholarship is a clear hint, an indication, that the phrase was not original but was added by scribes or church after Luke wrote]

What's my point? First, whoever reads this is reading what I'm writing to and for myself as part of my personal Bible study this morning. Second, the Bible quotes different verbatims for the same Red Letter event, and my point is that we don't know what Jesus really said at all. Some scholars say the Last Supper, which would have been a Jewish Passover observance, has been so overlaid (by gospel writers and the church) with Christianizing elements that it's impossible to reconstruct the details of what Jesus really said or did. Third, still speaking to and for myself, the phrase exclusive to Matthew, that Matthew added to Mark, "for the forgiveness of sins" should be removed from the Words of Institution in the Eucharistic Prayers.

There are other anomalies in the Passion Narrative. Gospel John's story, which we read on Good Friday, is quite different, Gospel John doesn't tell about Jesus instituting a sacrament at the Last Supper; instead, Gospel John tells about Jesus washing feet, and giving a New Commandment: Love.

Among the synoptics, only Luke has Pontius Pilate send Jesus to Herod. Did that really happen? It depends on whose story you are reading. 

What were "The Last Words of Christ"? The gospels vary, so it depends on whose story you are reading. 

What was the conversation between Jesus and the two criminals who were crucified with him? The gospels vary, so it depends on whose story you are reading. 

What does intrigue me is possible theological implications, soteriological implications, I suppose, when Jesus, in Luke only, tells the repentant criminal, "This day you will be with me in paradise". Some reputable scholars consider these and other "Last Words" the products of the evangelists and later scribes; but to any extent Jesus actually said "This day ..." to the repentant thief, it stirs the question of the soul going direct to heaven at death, or the body lying dead asleep in Jesus until the general resurrection as Paul says. And all of it, both viewpoints, stir a discussion of people's natural fear of death as a foundation for religion in the first place, and the various beliefs, in oblivion at death, or in an afterlife of various kinds. The Christian church has developed various understandings of life after death over the centuries, and It seems that most everyone has his/her own views, and the views vary, and the believer is absolutely certain.

All of which is well and good, I suppose, because I cannot prove you are wrong, and you cannot prove I am not right.

Enough rambling. Here, scroll down, are the gospel opportunities for next Sunday:

Liturgy of the Palms. Luke 19:28-40

After telling a parable to the crowd at Jericho, Jesus went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, "Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it.'" 

So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" They said, "The Lord needs it." Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying,

"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!"

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, order your disciples to stop." He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out."

Liturgy of the Word. Luke 22:14-23:56

[beginning and ending in brackets are optional]

[When the hour for the Passover meal came, Jesus took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!" Then they began to ask one another, which one of them it could be who would do this.

A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

"You are those who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

"Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." And he said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!" Jesus said, "I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me."

He said to them, "When I sent you out without a purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?" They said, "No, not a thing." He said to them, "But now, the one who has a purse must take it, and likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you, this scripture must be fulfilled in me, `And he was counted among the lawless'; and indeed what is written about me is being fulfilled." They said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." He replied, "It is enough."

He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not come into the time of trial." Then he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, knelt down, and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done." Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and he said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial."

While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him, "Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?" When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, "Lord, should we strike with the sword?" Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, "No more of this!" And he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, "Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!"

Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest's house. But Peter was following at a distance. When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, "This man also was with him." But he denied it, saying, "Woman, I do not know him." A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, "You also are one of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not!" Then about an hour later still another kept insisting, "Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean." But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about!" At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, "Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.

Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, "Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?" They kept heaping many other insults on him.

When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. They said, "If you are the Messiah, tell us." He replied, "If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I question you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God." All of them asked, "Are you, then, the Son of God?" He said to them, "You say that I am." Then they said, "What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!"]

Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying, "We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king." Then Pilate asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" He answered, "You say so." Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no basis for an accusation against this man." But they were insistent and said, "He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place."

When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.

Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. I will therefore have him flogged and release him."

Then they all shouted out together, "Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!" (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting, "Crucify, crucify him!" A third time he said to them, "Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him." But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.

As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.' Then they will begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us'; and to the hills, 'Cover us.' For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!" The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews."

One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun's light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, "Certainly this man was innocent." And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

[Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.

On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.]

______

image: sunrise this morning from 7H