Let's be honest - my Lent bloggage this year has been a disaster! Whilst I don't seem to be alone in having given up on the Archbishop's Lent book, I haven't managed to keep up to date with the modest challenges I set myself.
But today is Palm Sunday - Holy Week begins and in a few minutes I'll head off to church to make ready for this morning's slightly mad service!
Starting with colour and vibrance, we will end in stillness and solemnity... too easily Christians have a 'Hosanna Party' on Palm Sunday and a 'Hallelujah Party' on Easter Sunday with nothing in between. Though, that said, I think that may be preferrable to the patterns in so many (Baptist and other) churches round here that just continue as if nothing was going on, erm hello!
I'm really looking forward to this week and entering as deeply as I can into the story.
Not singing this (or its more traditional counterpart) today but it's too beautiful not to share...
1 Ride on, ride on, the time is right:
the roadside crowds scream with delight;
palm branches mark the pilgrim way
where beggars squat and children play.
2 Ride on, ride on your critics wait,
intrigue and rumour circulate;
new lies abound in word and jest
and truth becomes a suspect guest.
3 Ride on, ride on while well aware
that those who shout and wave and stare
are mortals, who with common breath,
can crave for life and lust for death.
4 Ride on, ride on, though blind with tears,
though dumb to speak and deaf to jeers.
Your path is clear, though few can tell
their garments pave the road to Hell.
5 Ride on, ride on, the room is let,
the wine matured, the saw is whet;
and dice your death-throes shall attend
though faith, not fate, dictates your end.
6 Ride on, ride on, God's love demands.
Justice and peace lie in your hands.
Evil and angel voices rhyme;
this is the man and this, the time.
John L Bell (born 1949) and Graham Maule (born 1958)
© 1988, 1996 WGRG, Iona Community, 4th floor, Savoy House, 140 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3DH, Scotland