The Stones Would Cry Out

After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, “Why are you untying it?” just say this: “The Lord needs it.” ’ So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ They said, ‘The Lord needs it.’ Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, ‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!’ Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, order your disciples to stop.’ He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.’ Luke 19:28-40

The church year's end has come, and we find ourselves hearing the story of Jesus' triumphal entrance into Jerusalem. The great and glorious celebration before the ultimate human drama at Calvary. Today is also Black Friday, when the commercialism of Christmas, the panicked buying and competing is at it's worst. And yet nowhere do we hear Jesus tell us to panic or compete. We are invited, as we face into Advent, to slow down, to listen, and to renew our hearts. There is nothing we need but the tender and fierce Savior of the world to come and inhabit our hearts.

Prescious Creator, you love all creation

you know the song of the hills and rocks

you hear the whales' songs and bird songs

and hear our cries in the deep dark nights.

We want conquerors and great winners

who will triumph over all the world's ills

when you have shown us how to serve

and how your loving changes everything.

Let us quiet our hearts and leave anxiety aside

knowing you are the kindest ruler of all creation

you give us our freedom and call us to love

despite all of the challenges here, you are with us. Amen.