Saturday, April 12, 2014

Ups and Downs


Today we have the unusual experience of hearing
two different Gospels at Mass. 
We see two very different scenes;
an extreme upper and an extreme downer.

In the first, adored and acclaimed,
Jesus rides through the welcoming streets of Jerusalem.
While the crowd cheers, Hosanna to the Son of David! 

In the second, just a few days later, scourged and scorned,
Jesus struggles along those punishing streets
dragging his cross to Calvary.
While the crowd jeers, Crucify him, crucify him! 

Jesus, like all of us, lived a life of ups and downs.
But he had it already figured out as he rode that donkey
through the palm-laden streets.
He knew the ugly turn that ride would take.
And, despite, the terrible low point ahead, he rode on.
Neither the high nor the low could pull him off his course,
because he had faith in his mission and in his ultimate end—
his end beyond Calvary.

All of us are here on a mission.
And, thanks to Jesus, we can all share in that ultimate glorious end. 
Holding onto our faith, and keeping that end in view,
all of us can ride out the ups and downs of life.

Palm Sunday

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