Mark 11:1-11: Jesus’ Entry into Our Lives
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Francisco de Zurbarán: The Adoration of the Shepherds
As we prepare for the celebration of Easter, we return to some Christmastide meditations from 2011 and we reflect on how the Passion and Easter stories begin in a stable in Bethlehem.
In yesterday’s Noontime we considered how much we rush toward Christmas only to miss its deep promise and sure gift – the gift of Christ himself. Today we continue our reflection . . .
The Noontime reading takes us to Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem; the natural culmination of the Savior’s life lived in humble obedience to God, although we might not see it at first. We know that Jesus will be crucified and we shrink from that knowing, wondering how much or how little we have to do with Christ’s suffering. The people in today’s story follow Jesus into the town; Jesus goes to the Temple, enters and looks around. The gift has been given and now the promise is to be fulfilled. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light . . .
See, the Lord proclaims to the ends of the earth: say to daughter Zion, your savior comes! Here is his reward with him. They shall be called the holy people, the redeemed of the Lord, and you shall be called “Frequented,” a city that is not forsaken. (Isaiah 62:11-12) The prophet Isaiah proclaims with joy the arrival of the remnant’s reward. We look for the meaning in this Feast of the Nativity; we look for solutions to big and little problems. Suddenly, the event is over. Or is it?
The mystery of Christ’s entry into our world and into Jerusalem is too much to take in. Why does our God love us this way? The beauty of Jesus’ coming into the world and into our lives is too much to believe. Why does our God abide with us always? How can we abide with this gift and promise now that God has made this entry into our lives?
And so we pray . . .
Good and constant God, You have proclaimed to the ends of the earth that our Savior comes . . . and still we complain. You have announced glad tidings, peace, good news and salvation . . . and still we forget. You have told us that we who have who walked in darkness have seen a great light . . . and still we doubt. You have loves us and brought us abundant joy and cause for great rejoicing . . . and still we rush on.
Good and persistent God, Hold us closely, remind us of you strength often, speak to us always of your compassion, tell us again that we have not been abandoned, remind us that we are not forsaken, ask us to linger with you . . . hold us from rushing on.
Good and loving God, You have entered the world as a babe. You redeem the world as a savior. You love each of us more than we can understand. Continue to bring us the mystery of your story. Continue to enter into our lives each day. Catch us and hold us always in your arms so that we might not move past you. Enter fully into all we say and do . . . so that we do not rush on. Amen.
The Noontimes 
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