A Poem/Prayer for Hosanna Monday

 

Yesterday, we welcomed Christ with the prayerful plea of, "Hosanna" ~ which means save us, because we cannot always save ourselves. Hosanna is both liberation from oppression and liberation toward God's grace embodied in us. I long to be saved from anxiety, anger, brokenness...save toward God authoring my life in new ways. Here is a poem/prayer to keep singing and praying our Hosannas on this Monday of Holy Week:

When the loud cries & prayers of “Hosannas” start to fade,

We put down the palm branches, they no longer sway,

We notice the creeping return of cynicism and jade,

Our minds shift from grace to whether others make the grade.

I long to stay with Hosannas, stand on the road where palms lay.

I linger amid the clutter of leaf blades and hasty Hosannas prayed.

What was yesterday, I wonder, was it just some rehearsed play?

Do the Hosannas still linger in people’s hearts or offer any aid?

Was this just some thing we did like a concocted charade?

Or was there something more intimate in your Hosanna that has stayed?

Is there place or person or moment where God’s grace might wade?

Or do we just start looking toward Easter, avoiding where we’re afraid?

This week unfolds with Jesus being deserted, alone, and even betrayed.

This week whispers grace as Christ is arrested, dismayed, and degraded.

This week asks you to fling open your heart for God’s love to persuade.

On Monday, the Hosannas may start to evaporate or even sound cliché.

But to pause and hold the holy prayer for God to enter in and stay.

May your soul feel it’s full worth and ride on with Jesus into the Way.