These were the sending out words last Sunday – Palm Sunday, We have a theme of tables during Holy Week.
From celebration to suffering –
how quickly the voices of Jesus’ followers become silent
between the Palms and the Passion,
how the indignant cries of the mob take their place –
a plebiscide who reject the One who embraces outcasts:
he who speaks of a wedding table where all are invited.
Such outrage towards the One who flips tables in the temple,
exposing greed and hypocrisy.
This Holy Week journey turns from triumphant parade
to a slow requiem march.
Each step brings a confrontation with authorities,
each word a rebuke to those in power
for failing to see and know the true nature of grace.
“Woe to you, blind guides!”
“Jerusalem, I weep for you.”
Let us join with him on this slow walk
from the gates of the city to that unholy hill.
May we find the courage to see ourselves
gathered at his supper – friends who will betray and deny,
who fall asleep instead of remaining alert.
May we read and hear again the story
of the Servant who washes the feet of the world
and who invites us to follow him each step of this impossible journey.
Today we ask you to process from this place without speaking.
We will sing a song that is an invitation to the table
as we look ahead to that Last Supper.
Please join the singing if you wish.
Please process out to the music.
May we go to find the Peace of God in the suffering of God.
We processed out singing Fay White’s “Come to The Table” very slowly to the sound of a drum beat and a D note (a Hurdy Gurdy sound played on a computer synthesiser.)