Rather than just a sermon, our entire Palm Sunday service is recorded here. During it, we celebrated Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, as well as remember the events of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

A seed falls into darkness… comes apart… loses itself… and grows into something new. When we let go of self-protection and give ourselves in love, new miraculous life emerges.

We may think Jesus–or we ourselves– could “pay” for our sins, but God’s grace is not given in exchange for anything. It’s just a gift. When we see that, we ourselves may begin to overturn some moneylender’s tables.

To “take up your cross” is to be willing to suffer for love, and to enter into the world’s pain. Because we believe ourselves to be love and not just bodies, we trust God will give us life even as we pour ourselves out– because to love is truly to be alive.

Ever said, “I don’t know what got into me?” Repentance- our special focus in the season of Lent-is not getting down on yourself. It’s facing the things that “get into you” and getting free of them, so that you can be yourself.

The light with which Jesus shone in the Transfiguration, the glory of God, is not just splendor. It’s compassion. We shine with that light when we live in love for others, especially those who are hurting.

The power of love casts out the demons in us– our fear and self-centeredness– so that, set free, we can join in God’s work of casting out the world’s demons of evil, injustice and oppression.

When Jesus calls us, “Follow me,” it’s an invitation to discern what God is doing in our lives (or our church) and stay close to that. Jesus may call us to a new life, but he always invites us deeper into this life.