It was George Burns who said, "The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending, then having the two as close together as possible.".. I think you would agree that today.. that space between the beginning and ending should be even shorter… In truth.. not much more needs to be said, the liturgy and the readings have spoken for themselves.. Yet.. that still won’t stop me from saying a few words
Following the Exodus from Egypt and their wanderings in the desert for forty years the Israelites came to the Jordan River and it is near that place on Mt. Nebo that Moses dies. Following his death Joshua became the leader of the Israelites and would be the one who would finally lead them across the Jordan River and into the land that God had promised. Several days prior to the crossing the Lord spoke to Joshua telling him that if he and the Israelites followed the Law that had been given to Moses, then they would be prosperous… During this particular discourse – three times – the Lord says to Joshua that during the days ahead he should be “Strong and courageous.”.. at the third time the Lord says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”… Days later the people would cross the Jordan and conquer the first city they came to – Jericho… from there Joshua and the vast numbers of Israelites went out into the Holy Land as God had commanded.
There is an interesting similarity to that event and Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem that we read about today… you see.. we often get a vision of Jesus travelling up to the gates of Jerusalem and there being met by the people waving palm branches.. but as it turns out the crowd has been with him for quite a while.. in fact they had been with him for about seventeen miles… Scripture says, “As Jesus and his disciples were leaving [a certain city], a large crowd followed them.”… What was that certain city? Jericho.
I found it kind of interesting that Joshua and the Israelites set out from Jericho to conquer the Promised Land.. and that Jesus also set out from Jericho to conquer the eternal promised land.. and I wondered if in leaving that place and heading to Jerusalem and the cross if Jesus was also comforted by those words that the Lord had spoken to Joshua… “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
But it doesn’t end there.. for the road that Jesus took is also one that we too must travel… Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.”.. To be Jesus’ disciples we too must head out from Jericho and take that road to Jerusalem, knowing all along where it leads. Knowing that in the end we also will be crucified with Christ.. but also knowing that that road leads through some very barren, desolate, and rugged areas.. places where there is no water.. no nourishment… places where you can be robbed, beaten, killed.. places where you can very easily lose your way and become lost..
.. therefore as we travel along that road.. we must stay near to Jesus… We must keep our eyes firmly fixed on him and where he leads.. for He is the Way… and in doing so.. in OUR hearts.. we will also hear those words of comfort, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Let us pray… Father in Heaven, You made us Your children and called us to walk in the Light of Christ. Free us from darkness and keep us in the Light of Your Truth. The Light of Jesus has scattered the darkness of hatred and sin. Called to that Light, we ask for Your guidance. Form our lives in Your Truth, our hearts in Your Love. Through the Holy Eucharist, give us the power of Your Grace that we may walk in the Light of Jesus and serve Him faithfully. Amen.
0 comments:
Post a Comment