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Susan Strouse's avatar

Are you really saying that you were the first to link together the two parades and hosanna? Or do I misunderstand. Here's my sermon from 2014. "The Last Week" came out in 2006, but I don't have anything earlier on file. Some of us have been preaching this a long time.

https://sacred-and-subversive.com/dismantling-patriarchy/blog

Diana Butler Bass's avatar

Hi Susan. I'm truly sorry that I didn't read your blog post until now. When I first got this idea around 2018/19, I did a ton of research to see if it had appeared in any major book or journal, was mentioned in any scholarly sources, etc. Although both "pieces" existed, there was no academic source that put them together into a single Passion week narrative. (At least none that I turned up and I'm pretty good at such things!)

I imagine that blogs, etc didn't show up in that search - mostly due to the nature of the research angle I used and so I missed posts like yours. For that, I'm sorry! I should have guessed that other creative and smart people would have seen this and written sermons about it. (And honestly, sermons are one of the hardest things to find on library searches!)

So, grateful for your work. And thank you for pointing out that my discovery is in the company of some other fine and thoughtful Christians. Blessings for your Holy Week.

David Pettengill's avatar

Weakness is exemplified by amour, control, and dominance; strength is represented by the belief that this is God's kingdom and the faith, trust, and loyalty to die for it! A system that needs armour to protect it is a sign of weakness; truth does not need protection, and weakness will eventually fall. The kingdom of Elohim, still exists! The loyalty and trust of Yeshua are still a witness!

Steven Ivy's avatar

Vanderbilt Divinity School Library has an art exhibit, also online, of depictions of

Mary Magadaline in art and icons.

https://exhibitions.library.vanderbilt.edu/different-eyes/art-on-view-at-divinity-library/

Lori Z.'s avatar

Pilates dream. That's all I can say. Thank you for this, as well as your beautiful book which I am glued to these past two weeks. You have no idea the peace and comfort they have brought me during an absurdly rough patch in my life.

Tim W Callaway's avatar

As a recovering fundagelical, I initially couldn’t get past the reference to Jesus Christ, Superstar … however, drawling on what I’ve learned from Librawls like you, DBB, 😜I persevered militantly and am so glad I did.

“This year I am stricken by the bodies and the blood,. I am stricken by the price of empire. I’ve got no ave or alleluia left.”

Indeed! As Tony Campolo used to relate, “Help him/me, Jesus!”

Barbara Wickham's avatar

Will we learn the lesson of Holy Week and the events that follow? Or will we, too, succumb to the fatal impulse to capitulate when there is not a sudden, dramatic, miraculous event or even hard evidence that there is progress in response to our cries of "Save Us, Lord!" And what of those who purport to follow Jesus, not so much to the humility of the Cross, but to the vision of an avenger destroying all who do not believe as they do?

Jim Holmberg's avatar

I am in awe of this piece that speaks to this hour so powerfully. In light of the countless petitions to “save us” sent up yesterday in the streets and squares of this and many nations, this sermon gives hope. God bless and keep us all.

Christine Shepherd's avatar

Exactly. I didn't know until today that Hosanna meant save us. Save us all indeed. Only God's love filling us and spilling over to all around us will save us.

K.G. Carey's avatar

Thanks so much Diana. So good!

Mark Youngblood's avatar

Holy Week starter yesterday! No Kings Day!

Mark Youngblood's avatar

“started yesterday”

Barbara Wickham's avatar

Think perhaps your typo is quite accurate!

Amy Ferrell's avatar

I just bought another book to give away as a birthday gift! I have bought a number of…..the title itself lends to a beautiful wish for the recipient! Thank you for today’s writing and reminder of its treasure!

Judi's avatar

I have quoted this post in my sermon for today. It's the message I needed to hear, and I think my folks need to hear it too. Bless you for your words this day.

Julie Johnson Coulter's avatar

Thank you for sharing such timely thoughts.

My sign yesterday: Blessed are the peacemakers...not the kingmakers!

Elion T. More's avatar

Bass names what most sermons miss: hosanna is not praise, it is a cry. Not alleluia, but a plea. That difference changes everything — it transforms the crowd from betrayers into frightened, hopeful people who believed, for one moment, that someone would finally save them. When Rome arrived, they did what fear commands. Exactly what we do. The question Palm Sunday leaves open is not why they turned on Jesus. It is whether we recognize the imperial procession entering our own city gate — and which crowd we are standing in.

— Elion T. More, The First Church

Li’berry Lady's avatar

Walked, waving signs and flags, homemade and store bought, with neighbors and friends and new friends, it was a hopeful-but fearful day…

Bonita Braun's avatar

Have already begun reading for Holy Week In a Beautiful Year.So Grateful for you and this community. Unable to attend Holy Week Services in person because of mobility issues and no online accommodations . So your writing and ministry are so helpful and meaningful this year. Grateful to you and the Cottage Community. Love the Inspiration for today.

I for the same above reasons could not safely attend in person local No Kings rally. But I did attend all day virtually the national coverage. There in Spirit ! Have a great Holy Week every one.

Bonita Braun's avatar

Corrections "A Beautiful Year." I wrote this before i read comments, Nice to see others zoomed for today (Saturday.)

Blanca's avatar

😪 omg this is so special and what my spirit needs. Ty Diana for Jesus Christ Superstar🩷