Palm Sunday

Imagine the contrast of these two processions, the peasant procession and the imperial procession. One joyfully celebrated by the peasant families, young and old in a simple earthy style. The grand marshal is seated on the colt of a donkey, leafy foliage is being placed on the path and the air is filled shouts of Hosanna! All quite humble yet many would recognize an ancient story unfolding, the fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophetic words passed down through the generations. Under the celebratory gathering was the seriousness of a radical political movement. I imagine the tension to be palpable, excitement and fear at one time.
From the opposite direction comes the enormity and power of Roman rule and oppression. The powers that be we’re making their presence known so as to dissuade anyone who might find inspiration for revolt in the celebration of Passover, the Jewish liberation from an earlier empire.
Pilate’s military procession was a demonstration of both Roman imperial power and Roman imperial theology. “According to this theology, the emperor was not simply the ruler of Rome, but the Sun of God. It began with the greatest of the emperors, Augustus. His father was the god Apollo, who conceived him in his mother Atia. Inscriptions refer to him as “son of God,” “lord” and “savior,” one who had brought “peace on earth.” After his death, he was seen ascending into heaven to take his permanent place among the gods.” (page 3)

POINTS OF DISCUSSION:

Certainly you noticed the similarities between the Roman theology of their emperor and the Gospel depiction of Jesus. This theology already existed in their culture. Did the Gospel writers steal the son of god motif? Are you bothered by the knowledge that the concept of the son of God, and even his ascension into heaven is not unique to Christianity? Does it change anything about your concept of Jesus?

Borg and Crossan spend considerable space in this first chapter describing and illustrating a “domination system” with Jerusalem at its center. According to them a domination system is a social system marked by three major features: 1. Political oppression; 2. Economic exploitation; and 3. Religious legitimation.

Certainly I can see how domination systems with these three features continue to exist across our world today. But I wanted to bring this closer to home than Afghanistan, or Africa. Where does it exist in my world, where does it or has it touched my life? Where has my religion (Christianity) been the religious legitimation for oppression and exploitation?

1. Slavery would be one example. My own denomination (Methodist) was at one point split over the legitimation of slavery. And I am questioning whether the Christian church plays any role today in racial oppression. Is our silence a continuation of a legitimation that was more blatant earlier?

2. I am quite clear that the inequality that continues between women and men in this country is legitimized by some segments of Christianity that perpetuate limitations on the roles of women in the church and in society.

3. Does the predominance of Christianity in this country and the outspoken religious right participate in a domination system which oppresses people from faith traditions other than Christianity?

Note from page 19 with regard to participation in a domination system specifically the role of the wealthy and powerful: “The issue is not their individual virtue or wickedness, but the role they played in the domination system. They shaped it, enforced it, and benefited from it.”

PERSONAL EPIPHANY:

Just as I have had a love hate relationship with Christianity, I have always been conflicted about the cross as a symbol of my faith. I much preferred the dove, but the cross is everywhere. On page 28, Borg and Crossan give me a sway towards the cross. In the second paragraph when they dissect Mark 8:24, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” They pull out the two meanings held by the cross in first century Christianity.

1. a representation of execution by the empire

2. a symbol of the “way” or the path of death and resurrection, of entering new life by dying to the old life.

In this first week of Lent, I really can embrace the “way” and the cross that symbolizes that way. Where am I ready to die to the old life and give birth to a new creation? Where is there a resurrection in the coming weeks?

In The Beginning

Welcome to All Saints Church’s first online book study and Lenten small group. This discussion officially begins on February 22nd and I will be posting a new blog entry every Monday. However, for anyone interested in beginning to think about Jesus and his last week in preparation for the book discussion please join me in answering a few of the questions found at the end of the book. There may also be occasions when I post more than once a week. Because this is a new experience for all of us, I would like the freedom to adapt to the flow of discussions and the season of Lent. Please feel free to follow all of the entries or only once a week for the main entry. If you have questions you may post them as comments to this entry or you can always email me at shamilton@allsaints-pas.org.

While it is certainly not mandatory that you register as a follower of this blog, it will help me to know that there are followers reading along, even if you do not make comments. However, I highly encourage you to make comments and share your insights as we journey though this book and Lent. It is from our combined journeys that God speaks the loudest and clearest. I also encourage you to invite friends and family to join. In many ways this is an experiment, but one that I am hopeful reaches far beyond those who can physically gather at All Saints Pasadena.

Questions for thought and preparation:

What are your first memories of Jesus?

My earliest memories of Jesus are from the stained glass windows in the Radnor Baptist Church. I spent hours laying in the smooth wooden pews gazing up at the large arched windows depicting familiar stories about Jesus. My mother was the church organist and I was required to accompany her to the church while she practiced. I am sure I learned the stories behind these picture windows in Sunday school or Vacation Bible school since I regularly attended both, but it is the images in these windows that are forever imprinted in my mind. The first is of Jesus carrying a lamb back into the fold. He is handsome, and young and kindness radiates from his face. I always knew that lamb was me and Jesus had come to find me when I was lost. Jesus was bringing me home, carrying me lovingly and I was happy to be in his arms. He knew me and he cared.

The second window that holds a strong memory and meaning was the triple window in the front of the church which was the back of the sanctuary. On this window was an artist’s depiction of Jesus kneeling in the garden. I often see that image in my mind when I pray, remembering that Jesus also prayed, drawing strength, wisdom and guidance from prayer. For me, that image of Jesus is one of the most powerful pieces of my Christology. Jesus prayed and even struggled in that particular time of prayer. In this depiction, Jesus has his face elevated to the light emanating from above and I understood the powerful connection he had with God through prayer. As a little girl I believed that warm, loving light was there for me as well as Jesus, forming another of the cornerstones of my theology to this day.

Years later even after I had left the Baptist church finding its teachings and theology unacceptable, I still chose to be married in that church. I could not imagine making those promises or taking vows anywhere else except with those images of Jesus surrounding me, reminding me of who I am and who Jesus continues to be in my life.

To my great sadness, that church with those beautiful stained glass windows at the heart of my theology was fire bombed by a Satanist years later. My family watched in the night as the large window of Jesus kneeling in the garden finally blew out from the intense heat built up in the sanctuary. I am so grateful for my indelible memories of those windows and the image of Jesus they conveyed to my young soul.

What are your first memories of Jesus?