April 2020

Thoughts to Ponder during Holy Week

Sunday, April 5, 2020
When the days drew near for him to be received up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem." 
~Luke 9:51

"A young rabbi walks to Jerusalem and disappears forever into springtime." 
~M. Hiles

Monday, April 6, 2020
"...And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who bought in the temple..." 
~Mark 11:15

"Actually, we who engage in non-violent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive."
~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Tuesday, April 7, 2020
"... 'My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers.’" 
~Luke 19:46b

"The weakness of power is that when power, if confronted by the power of truth, is no match for the power of weakness that bears the mark of truth."
~Paul Lehman

Wednesday, April 8, 2020
“ as he was teaching the people in the temple ... the chief priests and scribes with the elders came up to him and said to him, 'Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who is it that gave you this authority.’" 
~Luke 20:1-2

“He attracted a following and took his movement to Jerusalem… There he challenged the authorities with public acts and public debates. All this was his passion… God and the Kingdom of God, God and God's passion for justice." 
~E.J. Dionne 

Thursday, April 9, 2020 
"Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane...And going a little farther he fell on his knees and prayed, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. 
~Matt. 26:36 & 39

"Prayer is as holy, as satisfying as song. Prayer is trust, is confirmation. Whoever prays truly does not ask for anything… merely recounts her/his condition...wants...sings forth her/his  suffering and thanks..." 
~Herman Hesse

Friday April 10, 2020
"In Luke we hear Jesus' voice, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. In Matthew and Luke we hear this lament, 'My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me?' Luke reports, 'Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit."

"To block out the crucifixion brings doubtful unrooted resurrection. The Good Friday demand on man is she/he stay with the Marys and John at the foot of the cross to death and beyond. Then and then only, is the waiting of the Saturday a prelude to new life."
~Sadie Gregory

Saturday, April 11, 2020
"Joseph of Arimethe'a, a respected member of the council.. took courage as he went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus... And he bought a linen shroud and taking him down, wrapped him… and laid him in a tomb...and he rolled a stone against the door… Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Jesus saw where he was laid." 
~Mark 15:43, 46-47

"Courage is the virtue that makes all other virtues possible." 
~William Sloane Coffin, Jr.