After the Hosannas...

Today’s Lenten Meditation

A-Poem-a-Day

Until Resurrection Day

Image credit: shaarefaith.com

BETWEEN THE PALMS AND THE CROSS

It’s Lent—

I’m sitting here meditating

upon that final week

wondering what happened to His followers

after Jesus entered Jerusalem

riding astride a donkey

as people spread their coats before Him

along the dusty road

Wondering about those followers

the ones who cut branches from palm trees

and waved them at Him in homage, proclaiming

Hosanna to the Son of David!

Hosanna in the highest!

After all, He was their humble King

I’m sitting here wondering what happened

between then and days later

when Jesus stood before Pilate

amid a crowd of onlookers

persuasive chief priests and elders

and everyone began shouting

Crucify Him! Crucify Him!

Did they forget the taste of water

that He turned into wine?

Did they forget the healed lepers and the blind?

Did they forget Him preaching

to the multitudes, Blessed be the poor…

and the thousands He fed with a few loaves and fish

Did they forget He healed a pitiful demoniac

and the woman with an issue of blood

Could they have forgotten that he said to the dead girl,

Talitha kum, and she sprang right up and walked

And Lazarus? Could they possibly have forgotten

that Jesus called His friend out of the tomb

and Lazarus emerged, grave clothes coiled

around his body…after three days!

I’m still sitting here wondering about

how quickly they turned

from their hosannas

to calling for His death

Wasn’t there one clear-headed believer

one unable-to-be-swayed witness

one unshakable faithful-unto-death follower

to boldly shout out in protest…

No!

No. There wasn’t

Not even one

Maude Carolan Pych

NOTE: The above poem won the Spiritual Award for Poetry for 2019 at the St. Catherine Patron of the Arts Festival, held annually during March in Ringwood, NJ.