Liturgy
God of Love, God of Justice,
God of Subversion, God of the Oppressed,
Hear us.
Welcome us.
Empower us.
Open our eyes to injustice around us.
Crowd our hearts with compassion.
Energize our steps as those of a young colt.
Sweeten our lips with triumphant praises.
“Glory to God in the highest!”
“Blessed are they who come in the name of the Lord!”
“Peace in Heaven!”
When another says, “Prepare a way for me”
May we sprint boldly ahead for them.
When they proclaim, “We need this”,
May we give without question.
Where harshness threatens the path of others,
May we be the palm branches softening the blow.
Where silence exists, may we be the stones firmly shouting,
“Empire has no place here! The kin-dom of God is for all!”
May we hear.
May we welcome.
May we empower.
We pray all this humbly in the name
of God the true Royal,
Christ the Subverter of Empire,
and Holy Spirit the Fire of Rebellion.
Amen.
(Vox Prayer Team)
Scripture Reading
We invite you to hear from the Gospel according to John 12: 12-16
12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”
14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: 15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion, see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”
16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
The grass withers and the flower fades,
but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Amen.
Homily and Reflection
Anticipating Someone You Love- When you picture Jesus back in the day what does he look like?
- When you picture Jesus in heaven with God what does he look like?
- Is Jesus someone you wouldn’t be able to wait to see?
Benediction
One day the wilderness will blossom
with flowers; the desert wasteland will
come alive with new growth and God’s
glory and splendor will be on full display.
With this news, strengthen
those who have tired hands,
and encourage those
who have weak knees.
Say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, and do not fear,
for your God is coming to save you.”
So go with confidence into the days ahead.
May the love of God,
the grace of Jesus Christ,
and the presence of the Holy Spirit,
be among you and within you.
Amen.
(Vox Prayer Team)
[Photo by: Annie Spratt]