A Reading from Wisdom Literature

A reading from Wisdom Literature
By Most Rev Dianne Sullivan

What does it mean to surrender your life?

You enter death? You die?

What does it mean to surrender while we are living?

We learn there is a force that pulls us away from our best interest.
We learn there is a force that pulls us away from God.

There is nothing as dark as the total darkness.

Some call this “ego” or pride. It is a real thing that exists in each of us. It is that force that refuses to surrender.

When we surrender we give up this ego; the pride, the position, the sense of importance, everything that flatters, everything that appears to make of us more than who we are.

When we surrender our life we give ourselves over for something that is more; we give our time, our love, our goodwill, our energy and our lives.

When we surrender we follow the lead of Jesus, Buddha, Moses, Mohammad, Dorothy Day,
Rosa Parks, Queen Esther from Hebrew scripture, Joan of Arc, St. Theresa of Calcutta, Gandhi and more.

To surrender is to find ourselves and help mend this world. We cannot be of service and not touch the beauty of vulnerability and follow the one who sent us.

A reading from Wisdom Literature
R: Thanks be to God

The Message Is In the Simplicity

by Kathy Christianson

During the time of Jesus in Israel, there was great deal of chaos. The Romans demanded strict adherence to their rules and regulations. The people walked on egg shells, hoping not to draw attention to themselves for fear of being arrested. The people were weary and becoming very restless.

Meanwhile, Jesus, a gentle and humble man was quietly preaching throughout the countryside – speaking to many, sharing words of wisdom and love. He wasn’t loud. He wasn’t boastful. He didn’t demand to be worshiped. He didn’t acquire wealth nor live a rich life. His only desire was to be listened to.

Adding to the negativity at that time was the increasing displeasure by the Temple Priests at the words of this simple man, not at all a priest! His popularity was gaining as evidenced by the large crowds that came to hear his words. The priests felt threatened.

The people were longing for the foretold Messiah -someone who would release them of their oppression. Eyes were on Jesus – Is this the man who will save us? Jesus knew that the time had come to publically present himself to the people in support of his message and to try and keep peace. He had nothing to hide and he went to present himself.

In today’s Gospel from Matthew, we hear that Jesus asked for a donkey in which to ride into Jerusalem. Not a great stallion, a symbol of greatness and majesty but a simple donkey, a symbol of humbleness compared to a stallion; but an animal of strength nonetheless as she carries a Jesus on her back.

In keeping with his simple message, Jesus knew that his “crown”, his “greatness”, his “kin-dom” was not for public display for they resided in him, as it resides in us. So he came as he was.

And the people adored him. Went he entered Jerusalem they threw down their palms and cloaks in respect for this man that they had come to love. They shouted “Hosanna! Hosanna! to express their joy and admiration. This is the same as saying Hooray! Hooray! He’s here! He’s here! We love this man!

Jesus comes to us today and every day as his pure, simple self. He approaches us in is his simplicity with advice and guidance on how to live a happy and fulfilling life and how to connect with the people around us. The words are simple. The message is simple.

Love the Lord God with all your heart. Love your neighbor and love yourself.

Please take away today the message that the kin-dom of God is in all of us. In this kin-dom, it’s all about love. Jesus will be happy that you hear this and live our lives by this simple message. I can hear him shouting “Hooray! Hooray!”

Easter, The Voice of Love

by Most Reverend Dianne Sullivan

When Jesus calls your name in your garden can your hear him? Do you know his voice? On that soulful and mysterious morning Mary, known as the Apostle of the Apostles, knew his voice. I suspect that Mary had memorized his voice from countless teachings and gatherings he made during his ministry. She knew the power of his voice and she knew the gentleness of his voice: all the intonations that come with healing work. She knew his sadness, his disappointment, his joy and his humility. So when this strange man, in the garden, called her name that morning, immediately she recognized him as Jesus, the Voice of Love.

In the midst of our own lives, especially after a time of darkness, can we recognize the voice of Love? After such violence, especially in the story of the Passion of Jesus, are we ready to listen? In the midst of our sorrow and emotional upheaval, whether it be the loss of a loved on, loss of our job, loss of our vitality as age creeps into our bones or loss of hope, grieving must run its course; it is due our attention. Mary was mourning holding her grief tightly.

The story of Easter parallels our own lives in many ways. Our experiences are similar.
We are upheld and well thought of: we are loved
We are rejected, accused of some wrongdoing.
We are mocked, embarrassed and sent to a place of disapproval; for some prison, for some death, for some isolation, abandoned and rejected.
We suffer deeply.
And then we are redeemed, brought back into the fold, we are home.

Whether the figure Jesus resonates with you; The Divine; a Higher Power; Buddha; The Prophet Mohammad; The Great Spirit; the story of redemption and coming home is repeated again and again. It is the archetype of the Hero’s journey. No matter what we subscribe to; religion, spirituality, theology, astrology or alchemy, the story is the same: it is the human journey of finding ourselves and finding our purpose.

Through it all love is the balm that makes the journey of death and resurrection doable. It is the only experience that makes sense. We can kick and scream our way through or surrender to life’s movement. We can give ourselves over to vulnerability and love more deeply or we can hold back and pretend we are in control.

The Voice of Love, as it comes to us, is the voice of hope and it will not disappoint.
Love always finds a way.