Palms, and Paths

In India, there is a proverb: it is not difficult to ride a tiger, but it is difficult to get off the tiger. It is a story of what happens when the crowd is disappointed. One day, they great him as the answer to all of their problems, the next they are screaming for execution.

In a real sense Palm Sunday tells us about how different our human ideas of salvation and God’s plan can be. The crowds hail a conquering hero, they expect at the least a move to replace the widely hated Herodian priesthood with a pure and holy clergy, or at best a restoration of the independent kingdom the Hasmodians had ruled after the Alexandirans had been driven out of Palestine. What Jesus offered was something else entire. In one sense the reaction was predictable.

We see the turning in our liturgy. The service begins with the triumphal procession of palms and ends with the recitation of the passion events. But, there is actually a point here not about first century people -- about us.

I have been struck over the last few weeks by the similarity between the languages of different people. The Kenyan and Nigerian bishops who are boycotting the upcoming Lambeth Council and Bishop Iker who did not attend the house of bishops meeting have explained why in starkly similar terms.

In all three cases, the issue is comfort. Bp. Iker refered to his perception that the house meeting was not affirming for him, Nigeria was upset that “nineteen gay activists” would be present and that they could not be comfortable. Kenya used similar word. Confronted by the lesbians and gays they condemn, indeed slander, they would not be comfortable.

I suppose it is a bit unfair of me to suggest that if they stopped slandering decent people, they might have less discomfort to face. Indeed, simply doing what they profess, loving people whom God has made would help a lot.

In stead, they are going somewhere else – Jerusalem it appears. One wonders if they are aware that there are Israeli gays? Some may even be activists!

Jesus shows us not a walk to comfort, but rather a path seeking justice. He came He said to bring a sword. Caiaphus was looking for comfort too – he wanted his orthodox world.

So here we see Jesus, walking towards a goal the mob did not see. He wont be comfortable but that is OK it is the Spirit’s goal. We can follow, or not as we wish. We can follow Dr. Williams and refuse to invite bishops to the party if they make us uncomfortable. We can follow bishops Akinola, Duncan, and Iker to GaffeCon or we can confront our differences on the path to justice at Lambeth.

Jesus said, “pick up your cross and follow me.” Where will you walk? If you come along with me, you may have to put up with my sinful ways and my sinful friends. Some of them are even lesbians and gays. That is not why they are my friends, it is simply a fact about them. It may be safer in Jerusalem. That sound you may hear in the distance will be our singing and laughing as we love and care for each other.

May the Spirit bless your path with discomfort confrontation and seeking. If you walk our way, sometimes it gets a bit dark and uncomfortable. I wish you the old Rom blessing: Luck in the shadows!