Kahu's Manao

Keawala‘i Congregational Church
United Church of Christ (USA)

Sixth Sunday in Lent
Sunday, March 28, 2010


The Rev. Kealahou C. Alika

“Into Jerusalem”
Philippians 2:5-11 & Luke 19:28-40

It was another Doogie Howser moment. For any of you familiar with the television series that played back in the early 1990s you know that it showed the coming of age of a teenage genius who was a board-certified surgeon by the time he was 16 years old. Despite its relatively short four year run, it was a series popular among young adults.

At that age, Doogie (a childhood nickname for “Douglas”) has to balance life with his parents and contemporaries and the demands of a career that is stressful for adults. He has the help and support of his understanding parents. The show catapulted star Neil Patrick Harris to fame.

Each episode would end with the young Doogie sitting down in front of his keyboard and typing whatever came to him at the moment as he reflected on his long, long day of work. I sat down at my computer in the office last night at 6:32 p.m. and had my Doogie Howser moment.

I began the day taking my regular one-hour walk with my dog, Hanu. After returning home I prepared a breakfast that included a spinach omelet with egg whites, two veggie patties, a taro English muffin, half a papaya, a banana, and coffee.

After I was done I got ready for work, packing a lunch for myself as well as packing treats and a dinner for Hanu who spent the day with dog-sitting friends. I packed myself and Hanu into my car and we drove through Waikapu to Kïhei.

After dropping Hanu off I stopped by Foodland near Kalama Park to pick up several gallons of POG, juice made from passion fruits, oranges and guavas for the Maui Madrigale concert that was held here last night as a benefit for the Local Mission Fund of our church.

I arrived at work around 10:15 and proceeded to answer telephone messages and emails.

I was on the telephone making sure that we had the doves for our Easter Sunrise Service ordered and ready to be picked up that morning. I finished the draft for our Maundy Thursday Service so that the choir would have a chance to look at the order of worship for that evening.

There were numerous other things that needed attention. I took some time later in the day to post the Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday banners along the upper highway and lower beach road. No sooner was that done than guests started arriving for a 4:00 p.m. wedding.

Over 150 family members and friends filled this church. The service went well until the bride and groom’s three-year old son fell on his butt while skipping and hopping around me. That occurred near the end of the service and caused a minimal amount of disruption.

The couple was still with the photographers at 5:15 p.m. when members of Maui Madrigale began showing up to get ready for last evening’s concert. Members of the Outreach Committee also began arriving to set up refreshments for the intermission.

There was time enough for me to sit down at my computer in the office and to consider what I might share with you this morning. It was then that I noticed the clock on my computer indicated that it was 6:32 p.m.

The concert started at 7:00 p.m. and after offering a chant and words of welcome to those in attendance, it was time for me to leave so that I could pick up my dog and take the long drive home to Wailuku. The next time I looked at the clock on my lap top computer at home, it was 9:27 p.m.

One of the last emails I picked up at the end of the day was from a colleague. She closed her email by extending a word of blessing saying, “Hope your Holy Week is filled with hope, not just details.”

Ah, she knows me well! I emailed her back and thanked her for reminding me that despite the pain and sorrow that will mark the coming week, it is a time of hope. It is difficult not to get caught up in the details. The hope that is ours comes to us as we remember what transpired centuries ago when Jesus began his final journey into Jerusalem.

In our reading from The Gospel According to Luke we are made aware that Jesus went into the city to observe Passover. A multitude of pilgrims lined the road to welcome him unaware that the kingly procession would end with his death on a Roman cross.

While the people and the disciples join in the procession, another procession is also under way. Troops are being sent from Rome to the fortress known as Antonia, which overlooked the northwest corner of the temple.

Pilate returns with the Roman army to make certain nothing gets out of hand. Passover was a celebration of national freedom for the Jews and as such, it made the Roman authorities anxious about any public demonstrations. It was a time of high risk and danger for all.

William G. Carter, a pastor in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania writes: “Jesus rides no high horse, just a lowly colt. He chooses to enter a deadly situation without force or protection. He gives himself freely and without reservation. This is a prophetic act,” he adds, “a sign of God’s vulnerable love, which risks everything and promises to gain all.” (Feasting on the Word, Year C, Volume 2, Bartlett & Taylor, Westminster/John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 2009, page 156)

Many missed the significance of that day. Could it be the people were too preoccupied with the details of their own lives to notice the movement of Roman troops to the city?

It is easy for us today to miss the significance of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. There are details to attend to. The marketplace is filled with Easter baskets, Easter rabbits, Easter eggs, Easter hats, Easter candies. Weeks ago restaurants and resorts began marketing their Easter brunches.

We find ourselves quickly swept up in the details of what needs to be done as we prepare for family and friends and even “church.” And if you are at all like me, we find ourselves so busy with details we fail to see him as he passes by on his way into Jerusalem.

Perhaps it is our reluctance to accept that he will die; that he must die that keeps us busy. Perhaps it is our anger for allowing ourselves to be so busy that we convince ourselves that talking about the meaning and purpose of his death are details better left for discussing at another time. Perhaps it is our way of imagining that by getting everything done before Easter Sunday morning that will allow us the time and energy to talk about the meaning and purpose of his death.

I finished what I wanted to say to you this morning and when I looked at the clock on my computer, it was 6:32 a.m.

And so it is that we say, “Mahalo Ke Akua.” “Thanks be to God.” Amen.

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