Thursday, April 4, 2019

After the Hosannas...

Today’s Lenten Meditation

A-Poem-a-Day
Until Resurrection Day

Image credit: shaarefaith.com



BETWEEN THE PALMS AND THE CROSS

It’s Lent—
I’m sitting here meditating
upon that final week
wondering what happened to His followers
after Jesus entered Jerusalem
riding astride a donkey
as people spread their coats before Him
along the dusty road
Wondering about those followers
the ones who cut branches from palm trees
and waved them at Him in homage, proclaiming

Hosanna to the Son of David!
Hosanna in the highest!

After all, He was their humble King

I’m sitting here wondering what happened
between then and days later
when Jesus stood before Pilate
amid a crowd of onlookers
persuasive chief priests and elders
and everyone began shouting

Crucify Him! Crucify Him!

Did they forget the taste of water
that He turned into wine?

Did they forget the healed lepers and the blind?

Did they forget Him preaching
to the multitudes, Blessed be the poor…
and the thousands He fed with a few loaves and fish

Did they forget He healed a pitiful demoniac
and the woman with an issue of blood

Could they have forgotten that he said to the dead girl,
Talitha kum, and she sprang right up and walked

And Lazarus? Could they possibly have forgotten
that Jesus called His friend out of the tomb
and Lazarus emerged, grave clothes coiled
around his body…after three days!

I’m still sitting here wondering about
how quickly they turned
from their hosannas
to calling for His death

Wasn’t there one clear-headed believer
one unable-to-be-swayed witness
one unshakable faithful-unto-death follower
to boldly shout out in protest…

No!

No. There wasn’t

Not even one

Maude Carolan Pych


NOTE: The above poem won the Spiritual Award for Poetry for 2019 at the St. Catherine Patron of the Arts Festival, held annually during March in Ringwood, NJ.





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