Image: The Way of Blessing Shall Become Our Own Way
© Jan Richardson
Readings for Palm Sunday, Year B:
Psalm 118.1-2, 19-29, Mark 11.1-11 or John 12.12-16
There is a time for stillness, for waiting for Christ as he makes his dancing way toward us. And there is a time to be in motion, to set out on a path, knowing that although God is everywhere, and always with us, we sometimes need a journey in order to meet God—and ourselves—anew.
—from Palm Sunday: Blessing of Palms
The Painted Prayerbook, April 2017
It can be challenging enough to walk with intention into a future that is unknown. But to move with purpose toward a destination that is known, and fearsome? That is quite a different path, one that requires grace and courage we cannot conjure on our own.
Such a path offers a curious freedom, too, because it invites us to enter our future not as victims, helpless before our fate, but with intention and discernment, knowing that the path we choose—any path we choose—will hold its occasions of dying and rising. When we can meet those occasions with courage and grace, the perils of the chosen path begin to lose their power over us.
Courage. Grace. We’ve been talking about the wild language of Lent over the past weeks, the vocabulary that draws our attention and provides markers on our path through this season. As we round toward Palm Sunday and Holy Week, these are the words I’m noticing, the words I want to carry at this point in the path.
I’ve gathered up a collection of reflections I’ve written for Palm Sunday across the past decade at The Painted Prayerbook. I’m passing these along to you with blessings and gratitude. Over the coming days, as we accompany Christ on the path he chose with astonishing intention, may his courage and grace pass into us. May we follow where they lead.
Mark 11.1-11 and related gospel readings
Palm Sunday: Blessing of Palms
Day 30: Blessed Is the One
Palm Sunday: The Way It Makes
Palm Sunday: The Temple by Night
Palm Sunday: Where the Way Leads
Psalm 118
Day 29: God Has Given Us Light
Using Jan’s artwork…
To use the image “The Way of Blessing Shall Become Our Own Way,” please visit this page at janrichardsonimages.com. (This is also available as an art print. After clicking over to the image’s page on the Jan Richardson Images site, just scroll down to the “Purchase as an Art Print” section.) Your use of janrichardsonimages.com helps make the ministry of The Painted Prayerbook possible. Thank you!
Using Jan’s words…
For worship services and related settings, you are welcome to use Jan’s blessings or other words from this blog without requesting permission. All that’s needed is to acknowledge the source. Please include this info in a credit line: “© Jan Richardson. janrichardson.com.” For other uses, visit Copyright Permissions.
March 20, 2018 at 2:40 PM |
Thank you for your post today, and for the links to past Palm Sunday thoughts. I found them very helpful.
March 20, 2018 at 2:41 PM |
Your post made me think of Hannah Kent’s BURIAL RITES, a book in which the main character faces her certain and horrible future with courage, grace and, I would add moments of gratitude
March 20, 2018 at 8:26 PM |
Susan’s reply is apposite.