Chapter 20 – 1. Holy Week
This is Palm Sunday, the celebration of victory and the acceptance of the
truth. Let us not spend this holy week brooding on the crucifixion of God’s
Son, but happily in the celebration of his release. For Easter is the sign of
peace, not pain. A slain Christ has no meaning. But a risen Christ becomes
the symbol of the Son of God’s forgiveness on himself; the sign he looks
upon himself as healed and whole.
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This week begins with palms and ends with lilies, the white and holy sign
the Son of God is innocent. Let no dark sign of crucifixion intervene
between the journey and its purpose; between the acceptance of the truth
and its expression. This week we celebrate life, not death. And we honor the
perfect purity of the Son of God, and not his sins. Offer your brother the gift
of lilies, not the crown of thorns; the gift of love and not the “gift” of fear.
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You stand beside your brother, thorns in one hand and lilies in the other,
uncertain which to give. Join now with me and throw away the thorns,
offering the lilies to replace them. This Easter I would have the gift of your
forgiveness offered by you to me, and returned by me to you. We cannot be
united in crucifixion and in death. Nor can the resurrection be complete till
your forgiveness rests on Christ, along with mine.
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A week is short, and yet this holy week is the symbol of the whole journey
the Son of God has undertaken. He started with the sign of victory, the
promise of the resurrection, already given him. Let him not wander into the
temptation of crucifixion, and delay him there. Help him to go in peace
beyond it, with the light of his own innocence lighting his way to his
redemption and release. Hold him not back with thorns and nails when his
redemption is so near. But let the whiteness of your shining gift of lilies
speed him on his way to resurrection.
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If you see glimpses of the face of Christ behind the veil, looking between
the snow-white petals of the lilies you have received and given as your gift,
you will behold your brother’s face and recognize it. I was a stranger and
you took me in, not knowing who I was. Yet for your gift of lilies you will
know. In your forgiveness of this stranger, alien to you and yet your ancient
Friend, lies his release and your redemption with him. The time of Easter is
a time of joy, and not of mourning. Look on your risen Friend, and celebrate
his holiness along with me. For Easter is the time of your salvation, along
with mine.
This is Palm Sunday, the celebration of victory and the acceptance of the
truth. Let us not spend this holy week brooding on the crucifixion of God’s
Son, but happily in the celebration of his release. For Easter is the sign of
peace, not pain. A slain Christ has no meaning. But a risen Christ becomes
the symbol of the Son of God’s forgiveness on himself; the sign he looks
upon himself as healed and whole.
Â
This week begins with palms and ends with lilies, the white and holy sign
the Son of God is innocent. Let no dark sign of crucifixion intervene
between the journey and its purpose; between the acceptance of the truth
and its expression. This week we celebrate life, not death. And we honor the
perfect purity of the Son of God, and not his sins. Offer your brother the gift
of lilies, not the crown of thorns; the gift of love and not the “gift” of fear.
Â
You stand beside your brother, thorns in one hand and lilies in the other,
uncertain which to give. Join now with me and throw away the thorns,
offering the lilies to replace them. This Easter I would have the gift of your
forgiveness offered by you to me, and returned by me to you. We cannot be
united in crucifixion and in death. Nor can the resurrection be complete till
your forgiveness rests on Christ, along with mine.
Â
A week is short, and yet this holy week is the symbol of the whole journey
the Son of God has undertaken. He started with the sign of victory, the
promise of the resurrection, already given him. Let him not wander into the
temptation of crucifixion, and delay him there. Help him to go in peace
beyond it, with the light of his own innocence lighting his way to his
redemption and release. Hold him not back with thorns and nails when his
redemption is so near. But let the whiteness of your shining gift of lilies
speed him on his way to resurrection.
Â
If you see glimpses of the face of Christ behind the veil, looking between
the snow-white petals of the lilies you have received and given as your gift,
you will behold your brother’s face and recognize it. I was a stranger and
you took me in, not knowing who I was. Yet for your gift of lilies you will
know. In your forgiveness of this stranger, alien to you and yet your ancient
Friend, lies his release and your redemption with him. The time of Easter is
a time of joy, and not of mourning. Look on your risen Friend, and celebrate
his holiness along with me. For Easter is the time of your salvation, along
with mine.