addressing the balance

I always wonder what Jesus was thinking, how much he knew as he came upon Jerusalem that last time. He sent his disciples to go and get a donkey. He knew it would be there - we assume he had arranged it ahead of time.

I cannot believe that he was naive of his fate - even if he did not know how his final days would spin out. He must have been aware of the growing anger and resentment against him. He must have wondered who and when and where. The crowds were streaming into the city - crowds who were looking for something and who would be easily led by the authorities into terrible actions.

This story, of Jesus entering in, comes as a contrast to his Baptism which we celebrated yesterday. The waters which he enters into in Jerusalem seem dark and frightening - even amongst the festival crowds. We can imagine the disciples tripping and hurrying along, eager for the next adventure. Chattering and merry, unaware of the gathering clouds.

When God created the world, in the Bible account, he pulled light out of chaos. When Jesus enters Jerusalem chaos surrounds him but from that he will rise as the true light of the world.

Sometimes we do not even see the chaos which we are engaged in, as a society or as individuals. Sometimes we hold on to chaos as the norm, because seeking creation and recreation seem to involve too much of a journey or, even, seem impossible. But finding the balance of our creation and of the whole of creation as the work of God's hand is something to which we are called and something which we must embrace in all our journeys, through gathering clouds and joyful awakenings.