Since
Advent, the church has been reading scripture from Lectionary Year C. In Year C
the gospel readings focus on the Gospel of Luke – although sometimes include
other stories as told by John; this is particularly true around Holy Week and
Easter. We began this morning with Luke’s account of Jesus’ entry into
Jerusalem. Maundy Thurs and Good Friday you will hear the Passion of Luke read
in a dialogue of three voices.
This
morning’s Gospel reading was chosen to be the connector between Palm Sunday,
and Maundy Thursday’s account of the Last Supper, prayer in the garden of
Gethsemane, and the betrayal of Judas.
As I went to find it in our big print lectionary book – I found out that
in the three year lectionary cycle, this passage is never read.
I
suppose this is because the rest of the Passion story is long and is often read
in its entirety on Palm Sunday--- to make sure that those who skip out on
Thursday and Friday have heard the full story; there is no resurrection without
walking to the cross.
It
is too bad that Luke 22 is not read. The passage from Luke 22 is great place
for us to dwell as Lent draws to an end and we enter Holy week. The passage
sets the stage and specifically draws our attention to reflect on whether we
are ready to acknowledge, accept, and receive a risen Christ.
Are
you ready to acknowledge a risen Christ? Accept a risen Christ?
Are
you ready to receive a risen Christ?
The
characters in Luke’s Gospel give us three ways to be ready to say ‘yes.’
First,
we are told of the Chief priests, scribes, temple officers and police – they
are looking for a way to put Jesus to death. This group is concerned for their continued authority,
power, and position. They feel
threatened by Jesus because Jesus has gained a following with revolutionary
talk, encouraged the living of God’s covenant, has brought prophetic promises
to life – with healings, and has given hope to the poor, marginalized, and forgotten.
To
be ready to receive a risen Christ –
We
need to let go of the authority, power, and positions we hold;
and
with humility - what authority, power, and position we have - is to follow the
example of Jesus: revolution, living God’s covenant, bringing healing, hope,
and inclusion. … only then are we ready
to receive a risen Christ!
Secondly,
we are told that Satan entered Judas Iscariot – Judas prepared to betray Jesus,
his teacher and friend, for money. This part of the story draws our attention
to our hearts and our relationships. What is in our hearts? Betrayal, enmity,
lust, greed, anger, revenge, unkindness…
To
be ready to receive a risen Christ –
We
need to let go of Satan – the devious and destructive bits that worm their way
into our hearts and minds – the things that strain and break relationships; our
relationship with God, others, and creation.
… only then are we ready to receive a risen Christ!
Thirdly,
we are told that the disciples go to prepare the Passover meal – meaning they
go to find a place to borrow, they set the table, and get a caterer. These details are important because the meal
won’t happen if preparations were not made. It is an important meal that has
been celebrated in family groups for centuries to remind the people who they
are and who God is. It is a sacred meal and time together sharing food, scripture,
prayer, ritual, and singing.
To
be ready to receive a risen Christ –
We
need to make preparations in order to celebrate the Easter Feast. The only way
to get there is walking through Holy Week – eating together the Last Supper,
washing feet, stripping the altar, praying, singing, sitting in sadness as the
crucifixion story washes over us, kneeling at the cross, and then waiting… only then are we ready to receive a risen
Christ!
You
are invited to journey through Holy Week so that you are ready to receive a
risen Christ.
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