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In this episode, Rev. Gibson and Johnny Gwin discuss the story and lessons in the Palm Sunday Gospel. Through the dramatic reading of the physical and existential journey of Jesus, and exploring the Way of The Cross, Beverly lays out a roadmap to lead us through the coming week of Holy Week. We walk with Jesus from being welcomed by Jerusalem as a hero, to him self-emptying emotion and power, to his brutal death on the Cross. Do we look at the real self-sacrifice, shame, and suffering Jesus endured for us? What things in life do we do to betray Jesus? When are we like Judas? Like Peter? Do we show up for God using our gifts, talents, and resources to help Christ and our whole community? The Church needs to be seen as a place for you to give back (sacrifice) to your community not a "what's in it for me" mindset.
During Holy Week and Easter, try to see Christ in the challenges, frustrating and ugly things in life? Could you see Christ in dealing with the most difficult people in your life? Perhaps your calling is not to judge and retaliate; maybe your roll is to serve those frustrating and challenging people.
What You Will Here:
What's a dramatic reading of Palm Sunday Gospel?
Mystery Plays is a very old traditions of Church
Infotainment for the ancient
Bringing the hassles and distractions of the world into the Church and Mass
Starting Palm Sunday in the garden - the beauty and the challenges
Palm Sunday sermon is challenging for many priests
Beverly lays out roadmap of leading through the coming week of Holy Week
Passio - root word for passion - means suffering and pain
Passion and love - can be a painful endeavor
Walk on the way of the cross to find the way of peace
Self-offering and pouring yourself out - Self-emptying
John's Gospel - the dinner with Jesus at Mary & Martha's home with Lazarus - a human and tender moment
Washing of the feet - Nard and Mary - a precious offering
Judas questions the use of the nard oil
The existential journey of Jesus heading to Golgotha
Jesus grieves and pleads in Gethsemane
The consumer culture glosses over the pain and suffering of The Passion - we sanitize
What is in it for me? - Church shouldn't be this way
The Way Of The Cross - the taunting and the shaming - sanitizing
Twitter shaming and Jon Ronson
Social media and when the world turns on people who makes mistakes
Turning on a "hero"
Jesus as the ultimate outsider - Nothing good comes from Nazareth
The mob mentality of Jerusalem turning on Jesus
"Sealed with a kiss" - does that have to do with Judas kissing Jesus
What was Judas's motive to betray Jesus?
Judas had turned well before the betrayal
The shame moments: Peter denying 3 times, the bag of money, the crowds shouting "Crucify Him!"
Palm Sunday - a story of shame and failure
If you want to be a leader - you have to be a servant of all
Maundy - Queen Elizabeth viewed that her sovereignty was thrust upon her by God to serve her subjects
If you are only doing Church for you then you are missing the point
What is faith that doesn't encompass suffering?
Holy Week Challenge: Attempt to see Christ this week in all things - not just the brighter parts of life and the pleasant people.
Try to see Christ in the challenges, frustrating and ugly things and in the worst people in your life
Perhaps your roll is to serve those frustrating and challenging people
The mob mentality in biblical context and in the Church parishioners
Easter is the Christian Superbowl
Easter is the start of the spiritual year
The 3 acts of the Easter Season
God resurrected by the agent of Jesus
Human leaders do not self-sacrifice and voluntarily giving away of power
Military as a self-giving and true sacrifice
Peggy Noonan - What has happened to the American Dream?
Noonan: we have simplified and commoditized the national ideals we use to hold so important
Balancing between taking for yourself and giving to others
Historically looking at the place of the Church in community, social initiatives and services
A greater good for all of us when giving up of one's self
Joseph of Arimathea - shows up at pivotal time and is an excellent example of someone using his gifts and resources to help Christ, his followers, and the whole community
Readings Referenced:
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