As we gather, we recognize that we live, work, pray, and play
in the traditional, unceded lands
of the Cowichan Tribes and Coast Salish People. 
We continue to commit ourselves
to the work of reconciliation and relationship-building
with our First Nations neighbours.

Call to Worship:

Blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Christ became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him
and bestowed on him 
the name which is above every name. 

Philippians 2. 8-9

O Come. Let Us Worship. 

Collect for Today 

Holy and immortal God,
as we enter into this holy week turn our hearts to Jerusalem,
so that, united with Christ and all the faithful,
we may enter the city 'not made with hands',
your promised realm of justice and peace,
eternal from age to age. Amen.

The Proclamation of the Gospel:

Luke 23. 1-49

May the words of my lips and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable to You, O Lord.  Amen.

A Pilgrimage with Through Lent:
Carrying a Cross of Grief and Thanksgiving

On this Sunday, I often like to go back over the last few weeks and have a small review of what we’ve done during Lent.

Also, as the Gospel is quite lengthy, it’s possibly the shortest sermon I will preach in the liturgical year.

And so today, in keeping with my theme of a pilgrimage for Lent, my subtitle is “Carrying a Cross of Grief & Thanksgiving.”

My hope is that I have been able to give you a sense of being on a pilgrimage these last 5 weeks. 

For some, the experience may have been a long and tiresome as a  journey. For others, it may be, “O really, we are here already and are we ready to lay down our cloaks and palms to create a carpet for Jesus to enter the city?”

And then I think, “How long was that road for Jesus? Not necessarily in miles or meters, but how long, in the sense of knowing what was about to happen in his life?

My sermon titles, as a little review, have been – A Pilgrimage for Lent with the following subtitles:

1) We began in the Wilderness – We were with Jesus as he prepared for his last journey to  Jerusalem in preparation for his passion. There, he conquered the devil. 

2) Then, we talked about the Maternal Jesus: We had an opportunity to experience Jesus in all his humanity and how he was prepared not to escape his sacrificial mission.

3) We Discovered Divine Mercy: That day we heard Jesus’ call for repentance-- as his object is to illustrate to us his desire for mercy for all people—a call for our own ministry.

4) We discovered that part of mercy that we call Divine Grace on the 4th Sunday. In some circles, the 4th Sunday is also 'Rejoice Sunday.' It is a great moment to think about grace, and the gift of grace that comes to us from our Lord in his ministry.

It’s that “mothering moment,” you might say. It’s that time when we rejoice on that day and give thanks as God takes us on a journey as family, setting to illustrate exactly what GRACE is about. 

5) Last Sunday, we Discovered Humility and we heard in Isaiah 43: ‘Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”

We witnessed Judas’ misunderstanding of just what this new thing would be.

I perceive the world is once more in need of “NEW THING.”

So, my question today is: Where have you/I been on this journey?

There is a relatively new book on the shelves written by Mel Robbins. The title is The Let Them Be Theory. Interesting title.

The author’s intent is to help people and organizations alike battle depression and stress, and begin acting with intention and empowerment.

I am not sure our world would see Jesus’ journey to the cross, as preparation to assist us in developing a life of intention and empowerment. At the same time, I believe the journey to the cross is about Jesus. It’s about Jesus empowering the world to act.

Jesus empowering us to act IN HIS NAME; to be who we are called to be.

So, if we can step back and place ourselves inside the mind of Jesus, how do you think it may have been for him?

Knowing that the world is in chaos, as the world was in chaos in Jesus’ time of his ministry, as he experienced in that symbolism of his encounter with the devil in the wilderness.

So often, we have wilderness experiences, and we become frustrated with all those things in the world that are happening around us. We feel tapped out; we feel out of control, and we react in ways that sometimes can push us deeper into hopelessness, or guilt, or sorrow, or despair.

For most of us, our stress level will be over the top. We feel that we have lost control.

Control is a huge factor in our lives. It’s something that we don’t ever want to lose.

GUESS what, though? Control was just as significant in the time of Jesus, and he gave that up for us!

The Lectionary has given us some advice in this year C: where Jesus illustrates for us it is OK to spend some time in the wilderness.

Then when we return, remember Jesus gives us a few lessons about living together in community—lessons of being and living with our maternal instincts. Followed by sharing in the teachings on mercy and grace, and humility. 

Our natural nature though, is to want to fix the world.

‘If only the government leaders would do as I say. If only the bishop understood me. If only the wardens would listen.’ 

Except, the “If Only,” never happens. 

So today, Jesus illustrates for us to carry our own cross and to discover thanksgiving in our lives. 

How we will respond to the resurrection 7 days from now is ours to discover. 

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Let Us Pray

Led by the Spirit, let us turn to God in prayer for the church, the world, and all in need.
(Silence)

Guide your church this Holy Week as we follow in the servant way of Jesus.
Protect those who face hostility or oppression for their faith. Humble those who use faith to dominate others and reinforce their own power.  
God in your mercy, receive our prayer.

Make your creation as a living witness to Christ’s passion and resurrection: in waving palms, shouting stories, fragrant vineyards, murmuring wheat, and revealing fire.
Make us attentive to your holy presence in the world, that we may care for the earth that you love.
God in your mercy, receive our prayer.

Let your face shine upon the leaders of the nations and let the same mind be in them as was in Christ Jesus,
so that those with the most power may humble themselves to serve the most
vulnerable.
God in your mercy, receive our prayer.

Sustain the weary with a word. Grant perseverance to political prisoners, and to any who are exploited unjustly, accused, or wrongly convicted. Abide with all who are in jails, detention
centers, or prisons. Console all who experience times of trial and suffering.
In our parish today we to pray for; John, Sheila, Geoff, for Gail, and those on our hearts.
God in your mercy, receive our prayer.

Give strength to those who will lead worship during Holy Week:
Rev. Brian, Rev. Trish, Ginette, our Altar Guild, and our Administrator.
Instill in them awe and joy, that their service may reflect the love of Jesus.  
God in your mercy, receive our prayer.

We give thanks to you for our beloved dead, trusting that as the cross of Jesus led to the empty tomb, so you welcome those who have died into the 'paradise of your presence.'
God in your mercy, receive our prayer.

Receive these our prayers, Gracious God, drawing all things together in your love, in the name of Jesus who leads us from death to life. 

And who taught to pray

Our Father,
who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as in heaven. 
Give us today our daily bread. 
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us.
And lead us  not into temptation,
but deliver us fom evil.  
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power and the glory,
forever and ever.  Amen.

And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord;

And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be with you, and remain with you, always. Amen.

God you are our help and strength,
you have satisfied our hunger. 
God, You strengthen us in our faith,
And through the death and resurrection of your Son, as we celebrate it this week,  may we too, be with you in salvation. Amen

Let us go forth and walk these last few days with our Lord in his path. Amen.