"I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings..." (v. 11)
Each week when I sit down with the appointed lectionary readings, my favorite bit of analysis is trying to imagine why the four readings (1st, psalm, 2nd, and gospel) are lumped together: what's the relationship between them? Sometimes it is obvious; other times, not so obvious. On our final Sunday before Palm Sunday when we reenact Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem to meet his death, we hear not just of his friend, Mary's tears and anointing, but of the resurrection. We heard of it first in Isaiah as God watered the deserts, then again as the tears of sorrow turned to joy as the harvest comes home. Again, we greet it in Philippians as St. Paul discerns between the old ways of empowering oneself to righteousness and the way of living in righteousness by belief in the resurrection. (Notice the willingness with which he accepts sufferings as a path to new life.) On Sunday we will hear of Jesus' death as he sits down to a meal beside Lazarus whom he raised from the dead. Amidst Mary's tears, on the eve of his arrest, the stories buoy us with the hope of resurrection.
Reflection
- What patterns do you discern between these readings? Do you listen for these kinds of inter-textual themes ever?
- How do you make sense out of verse 9?
Prayer
O Lord, hear our prayer: help us to keep our hearts hopeful through the final days of our travels and your passion. Keep us ever confident in the power of resurrection. These things we ask in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen
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