RBWords

     I remember my own visit to Jerusalem in 1988 and my first glimpse of the city from the bus.  The expression of going "up" to Jerusalem is very true.  One approaches the city from below. (But the slopes across the Kidron valley allow a powerful vista.) It was a powerful moment for me, a person living nearly 2000 years after Jesus' entry into the city.  The lectionary makes a jump from verse 27 to verse 41, and this robs today's passage of a lot of power.  I recommend starting from verse 28 so that the bigger picture may be in view.  This gospel passage is read on Palm Sunday!  Jesus is mounted on a donkey and people are throwing palm branches in front of him and proclaiming him as a "messiah."  They come to where they can see the city and at the sight of it Jesus weeps!!  The theme of "seeing/blindness" that has been prominent in the last few passages (the Blind Beggar and Zaccheus) is realized in full power.  Luke, of course, is writing after the Romans destroyed the temple in 70AD and his account has a kind of retrospective quality to it, but this takes nothing from the emotion and frustration of the moment.

     Jesus comes as a messiah of peace and not as a mighty warrior, as some (but not all) expected in that day.  He fulfills the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 about the messiah coming on the back of a donkey.  But none of this can be "seen."  He is not the picture of a "king" that popular hopes required.  We will celebrate Jesus' "kingship" this coming Sunday with the feast of Christ the King, which will end the liturgical year.  Our own expectations will be challenged.  Is he weeping for us as well?  AMEN