Thought for the Week – Passion Sunday

Sunday, 29th March was Passion Sunday in our Liturgical Calendar. Passion-tide is the week leading up to Palm Sunday, Holy Week, Good Friday and Easter Day. It refers to the Passion which awaits Jesus of Nazareth at the end of his solitary journey to the Cross. Although we use that word in the context of His suffering, we use it in everyday vocabulary in the sense of ‘enthusiasm’. ‘So and so has a passion for music’, we might say, or for photography, rugby or cooking. We imply that a person has a burning love and commitment to that interest or activity. We use it relationally too. ‘So and so shows great passion for Alice or Jules’; meaning an intensity of love.

Whilst we ordinarily think in terms of Jesus’ suffering, might we re-cast our understanding to translate as ‘His enthusiasm, His burning love for His cause’?; that of the Kingdom he put at the heart of His preaching and teaching. His total focus and energies are directed towards making that Kingdom known; to illustrate what God’s love is actually like. When words fail; needs must demonstrate. It is, then, about living out that enthusiasm in an entirely draining, self-sacrificial way.

This stands in sharp contrast to the pictures we have seen on our television screens or in newspaper coverage in recent weeks. Despite the Prime Minister’s urgent directives to maintain ‘social distancing’, people are ignoring this and gathering in large numbers, attracted by sunshine and the belief that open spaces are safe. In theory, ‘Yes’; but in reality ‘No’. This virus has no ‘moral conscience’, it does what all viruses do; in order to survive it needs another host cell, and, magpie-like, it takes over that cell in order to replicate. Not intentionally, but as part of its chemical process. Volcanoes are the same. They do what volcanoes do; erupt and cause chaos and destruction. They don’t ‘think’ the consequence out first!

But humans are different. We do have a moral conscience, although not always exercised. We have rational minds, by and large, and the ability to make moral judgements. The defiance demonstrated by many in recent days shows a lack of moral conscience that is quite shocking. We live in the culture of ‘Do as I please’; freedom is a wonderful thing, but not when it is abused.

Our Health Care Service professionals are facing their own Passion at this time; using their skills and energies in a passionate and self- sacrificing way. The very least we can do is to demonstrate self-control and self-sacrifice for their sake and for the thousands of vulnerable people in our communities and families. STAY HOME, KEEP SENSIBLE DISTANCE FROM OTHERS IF OUT SHOPPING OR WALKING AND BE SELF- SACRIFICING FOR THE COMMON GOOD. WASH YOUR HANDS FREUENTLY. It would be a tragedy of the biggest proportions if our passion ( selfish enthusiasm for something) were to lead to a real passion (suffering) for others. We have a moral obligation to others and to our nation so that this current health crisis can be conquered.

Prayers for our Times:

Lord, whose vision for wholesome living was made known
In your Commandments on the Holy Mountain
And whose sacrificial Love displayed through a Cross;
Grant us the Grace and self-control to deny our selfish interests
And, obedient to your will, respect the guidance of those
Set in authority over us;
For the sake of your Kingdom and the great good of your people. Amen.

Lord God of the Pilgrim Journey,
Who journeys with the human race through both
Parched wilderness and lush pasture;
We offer our prayers for young and old, the world and our nation.
Bless and support children, young adults and families at this time
Of restraint; be a guide and strength to all in our Health Care Service and
In mutual co-operation bring us to that place of Promise, healing, wholeness and wisdom. Amen

Canon Dewi Davies