Rev. Rachel Lewis Cooley

“We are entering Jerusalem with Jesus”

XXX Church, San Diego, CA

for Palm Sunday April 10 2022

We are entering Jerusalem with Jesus.

We are like the disciples, being required to give up what we think God will do.

We have discomfort, we are ill-at-ease.

We will be pushed into leadership

when Christ goes, and says we will do

greater things than he.

We ride a donkey, not a white horse and chariot.

Whether or not he will someday come back…

We are here now,

on the cusp.

To go forward, through this week and beyond,

we must, have to, give up those ideas, that theology, that supposed-truth about God

that we sense is holding us back.

What were you carefully taught to hate, and fear?

within yourself?

within creation?

When do you feel confused-shame, that you are not to trust something you felt in love?

Where do you hit the wall – when you’re feeling expansive and free till suddenly that thing comes back to haunt, and your spirit falls?

Our God-of-resurrection is not a God of spirit falls.

The Jesus of love is not a bringer-of-shame.

Where is your shame?

This week, in the grief,

The disciples are called to new

Life, unburdened by the shame and theologies of old.

To step forwad in faith, we will leave behind

What we cannot have with us

On the journey

Drop it here

Let it go, now

And if it does come back to haunt again

Say – “not today”

For today – and everyday –

I am resurrected with Jesus.

Write it down

Burn it up

Sweat it out

Shed it from your skin

Shake the dust off your shoes

Rise again.

We bring Jesus whenever we live our full humanity.

Untamed and unhinged.

Liberated.