In Mark’s Gospel after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, we are told that he went into the temple precincts and “looked around at everything.” Now the temple in Jerusalem was the center of the people’s religious life. So when Jesus looked around at everything, he was looking into the very heart of the people. Isn’t this what our Lenten journey has been about? I invite you now to take one last look around at everything in your heart. Look at it all with Jesus. Where does it hurt? What’s the pain? In what ways are you heartbroken? What are the things that you have done or left undone or what has been done to you that keep you tethered to your past? Are there broken relationships? Are there loved ones who have died and you still sorely miss? What are you afraid of? Look at it all with Jesus. I am convinced that Jesus does not just look around at it all and leave. I think he looks at everything so that he might take it with him and carry it through this Holy Week. And he invites us to do the same. Jesus leaves nothing behind and neither should we. For what we refuse to look at and carry with us cannot be renewed, re-created or resurrected. So, what are you carrying and what will you bring and offer this Holy Week?
Abbot Damian’s Palm Sunday reflection inspired in part by Rev. Michael’s blog Interrupting the Silence.