A Voice in the Wilderness

2020-04-02

There is a stillness

And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” Matthew 21:9

Hollow…

I say it …. “Hosanna to the son of David!”

I say it, and it just sounds hollow.

I muster a second try … “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Nothing. Only silence wrapped in deep grief answers back.

How different from that day when our Lord rode into the Holy City on a colt. That day full of anticipation and excitement – a day of conquering hope, of victory!

If only they had known the hollow silence and grief the next few days would bring.

And what of us, sheltered in place, apart from each other, perhaps shrouded in our own silence and grief, at a time when we would be gathering and singing and waving palms as we remember that triumphal entry into Jerusalem?

In place of sweet hosannas, I hear the psalmist’s words: “How shall we sing the LORD's song in a foreign land?” Psalm 137:4

This is a Lent like no other. This is a fast not of my own choosing. I long for the comfort and strength of God’s people gathered in the flesh; for joy but find my heart full of lament. N.T. Wright (Anglican Bishop and Theologian) put it this way:“…this Lent has no fixed Easter to look forward to. We can’t tick off the days. This is a stillness, not of rest, but of poised, anxious sorrow.”

Is this not the very drama of Holy Week that we remember year after year, when hopes were dashed, and tears were shed, and grief threatened to overwhelm? Is this not what the disciples encountered as they watched their master and friend betrayed and arrested – completely out of their control.  Would they not have cried out in lamentation? Might they not have echoed Jesus’ words from the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

It is true that we are not forsaken. We know how the story ends. Easter will come. The grave will not have the last word.

But for now, I will not reject the profound and sacred gift that lament has to offer. The opportunity to pour my heart out to God without fear or worry of rejection or condemnation to a loving Father who is trustworthy – who laments with me over the circumstances of my life and the world and rides triumphantly right into the depths of disease, trauma, and despair as The Hosanna Himself reverberates in mercy, power, and love over all; transforming my cry from hollow to hallowed.

Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessings,

Matthew+

Coming up...

Join us for Worship this Week

We will be worshiping on line for the next several Sundays. This is a “new thing” and we will have to find a new rhythm in our life together: physically distant yet socially connected.

We will be using a platform called ZOOM to facilitate our gatherings. For each of our gatherings we will publish a link that you can follow to join in (there will also be a phone in option available).

For information on how to get started you can follow this link.

One of the side benefits of this will be that you can be a part of worship and other gatherings here even if you are out of town.

Please check our website: stjohnsgranby.org and our Facebook page: @StJohnsGranby regularly for up to date information.

This weekend's schedule is as follows:

Saturday: Evening Prayer at 5:00 PM via ZOOM

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Meeting ID: 974 290 452

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Meeting ID: 974 290 452
 

Sunday: Morning Prayer at 9:30 AM via ZOOM

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Meeting ID: 850 900 378

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The Gospel according to Matthew

Fr. Matthew is offering a study on the Gospel of Matthew on Sunday and Wednesday mornings at 11:00 AM (we will cover the same ground on both days).  Grab your bible and bring your questions as we open the scriptures together. 

This Wednesday's study will meet via ZOOM. you can join by following the link below:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/560422458

Meeting ID: 560 422 458

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+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
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+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US
+1 301 715 8592 US
Meeting ID: 560 422 458

A word about giving

We recognize that there are a lot of folks who have been hit hard during this crisis and are grateful to the generosity of this community.

Some of you have asked what to do with your regular pledge and offering while we are not gathering together on Saturdays and Sundays. You may mail them to the church (we are picking up the mail every day) and we will put them in the offering plate and bless them during the service. You might also consider using billpay through you local bank if they offer that service. 

This Sunday's Readings

The lectionary readings for this Sunday are:

• Matthew 21:1-11

• Psalm 31:9-16

• Isaiah 50:4-9a

• Philippians 2:5-11

• Matthew 27:11-54

You can read them online here.

Church Directory

Now more that ever we want to make sure our church directory is up to date. If you have moved or changed phone numbers in the past year, please click here to fill out your current information.

Lent Madness (Who will win the Golden Halo?)

Do you have a favorite Saint? Do they have what it takes to win the Golden Halo?  

Link to the Lent Madness website here!

Are you on Facebook?

Are you on Facebook? If you are, you can find us @StJohnsGranby. "Like" our page, and find events and pictures of what's happening at St. John's.

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