How are we supposed to cope with the despair that sets in when our known world is stolen and an invading, oppressive regime steps in?

When all is said and done, what then are we to make of the mythic tale of Jesus’ death and resurrection, metaphorically told to convey what all of us might like to assert to be the “gospel truth?”

Palm Sunday is a festival celebrated by Christians around the world. Jesus went to Jerusalem; that much is certain. The details are less clear.

In the midst of the chaos, which is Ukraine, Father Stephan spoke about life. Five funerals yesterday, a wedding and a baptism this morning. Father Stephan is from Kiev, where he hopes to return soon.

Jesus may have been humble. But in the last couple of months, I’ve learned a thing or two about donkeys. And I can say this: Jesus wasn’t humble because he rode into town on a donkey. A donkey is as noble an animal as any horse.

Our Earth is sacred and does not belong to us.  When we recognize that we are merely stewards of creation which has been entrusted to our care, it shifts our outlook.  We cannot continue to ravage the earth, deplete its resources, and consume without restraint while claiming to be faithful to our God.  The Gospel is one of interdependence.  All of creation is woven together in a delicate web that we must nurture faithfully.

Rev. Dawn Hutchings shares past Palm Sunday Sermons

This coming week we have the opportunity to enact our faith with those fleeing violence and seeking sanctuary in our country. Doing so is how we can actually make Holy Week holy.

Civilization defines justice as retribution – payback; an eye for an eye. But the deeper meaning of justice is distributive: the rain falls on the good, the bad, and the ugly without partiality. Civilization does not use that definition except in cases where there is clearly injustice if partiality enters the picture.