170409SundayReport

Sunday was a day of triumph and fulfilled the anticipation of the Jews of a day for which
they had waited four centuries. The Messiah had finally come, at the time predicted by
scripture. They were certain He would free them from the burdensome and cruel yoke
of Roman rule. The Jews would finally be on top of the power pyramid. They would
rule the world under Him! As the week went on, they found that was not to be. He did
not come to rule this world, but to bring us to His World. He came to give them the key
to eternal salvation. This is a far more important gift than to have power temporarily and
for a short time. This is more precious than any earthly jewel, riches or rainment one can
ever find here on planet Earth. He came to take them from this veil of tears to a state of
perfect freedom. They wanted someone to throw the Romans out and all God sent them
was the key to eternal life. What a disappointment! But to us, it is not a disappointment.
It is a gift of great joy, the fact is we should be all rights dead and headed for the pit,
instead headed to a kingdom of joyfulness and laughter and all pleasant things, and a
world that will be far better than our pitiful shadowland here. This is indeed the most
valuable of all gifts we will ever receive in our lifetime.
By the way, the Chief Priests, who had so much invested in their 613 laws, likely searched
far and wide for the crowd to convict Jesus of the crimes they imagined against their
system. Their system, not God’s. Remember, there are none so blind as those who will
not see. They would not see because what was being shown to them was a new way that
would interfere with their comfortable way of living. A new way that asked of them, no
demanded of them, accountability unto God for their actions. Know the crowd was not
a self-forming group naturally set on condemning Jesus, but a handpicked gang. At the
same time, many of those in the crowd who condemned Him the morning of Good Friday
were in the crowd that welcomed Him to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. What a difference
five days can make.
Make no mistake, we are that crowd. And, like Pilate, no matter what we say, we cannot
wash our hands of the responsibility. Thus, we must separate ourselves from the crowd.
Separate, that is to make ourselves holy, set aside.
When the time comes, how will you ACT?
It is by our actions we are known.
Be of God - Live of God - Act of God
Roy Morales-Kuhn, Bishop and Pastor - St. Paul's Anglican Church - Anglican
Orthodox Church
Bishop Roy is pastor of the biggest AOC parish West of the Mississippi and is in charge
of the Diocese of the Epiphany.
Palm Sunday
Thy King cometh...having salvation...
9 April 2017
Psalm 22 • Zechariah 9:9-12 • Mark 11:1-11
The Sunday next before Easter, commonly called
Palm Sunday.
The Collect.
LMIGHTY and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love
A towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our
flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of
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