The Stones Would Shout

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

In many of our Indigenous traditions, stones and rock are animate beings, part of God's living creation, precious along with all being. In modern times many people regard mountains and hills, rocks and trees as inanimate objects, something to be moved and destroyed when they get in the way of progress. We fail to listen to the trees, rocks and the ground we inhabit. Jesus knew that the rocks had life and capacity, the capacity to cry out and praise their Creator. May we be wise to the voices of our earth.

Loving Creator, lifegiving One

you made us in your image

endowed us with wisdom

and hearts built for compassion.

We often miss the most obvious

the blessings you shower upon us

we are oblivious to your presence

and forget to praise you every day.

Give us new hearts and minds

that we might see your life in all

may we hear the rocks and hills

and join with them in songs of praise. Amen.