Theodulf's Sixth Verse

April 8, 2014

Dear St. Paul’s Family,

One of the oldest hymns in our hymnal was written in the year 818, by a man named Theodulf, who was the Bishop of Orleans.  In addition to his ministry in the church, he was a noted poet who wrote a refrain that would become part of our standard Palm Sunday celebrations:

All glory, laud and honor,

To Thee, Redeemer, King,

To Whom the lips of children

Made sweet hosannas ring.

The entire hymn is a vivid portrayal of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and many churches sing it as children process down the aisles with palm fronds in their hands.  What is widely unknown is that Theodulf actually wrote a sixth verse to the hymn, for which the reasons it is not included in our hymnal will be plain when you read it:

Be Thou, O Lord, the Rider,

And we the little ass,

That to God’s holy city

Together we may pass.

When John Neale translated Theodulf’s original Latin text to English in 1851, he remarked that this sixth verse   “was usually sung until the 17th Century, at the quaintness of which we can scarcely avoid a smile.”

                                                       

No, I will not be asking us to sing this sixth verse when we sing “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” this Sunday morning.  But I am intrigued by the implications of Theodulf’s words.  Indeed, when we approach the Triumphal Entry text, there are many points of entry.  We might identify with the crowds who shouted “Hosanna!” (“Save us!”) and recognize our own need for Jesus in our lives.  We might identify with the citizens of Jerusalem, whose question “Who is this man?” captures the depth of our own spiritual searching.  Or we might even identify with the disciples, as we measure the level of our commitment to Jesus in the midst of uncertainty and turmoil.

But it’s rare, if ever, that we choose to identify with that donkey.

You know about that donkey.  It’s one of the facets of that first Palm Sunday that is common to all three synoptic gospels.  In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus sends two of the disciples on an advance mission to secure a donkey that had been pre-arranged by Jesus.  And all three gospels have these three verbs in common.  They  untied  the donkey.  They  claimed  it for Jesus by telling the owner that he needed it.  Then they  brought  it to Jesus for his use.

What would it mean for you to be the donkey on Palm Sunday?  It would mean that you would participate in all three actions as part of your own spiritual preparation as we enter this holiest week of the year. 

First, be  untied.   From what aspects of your life does God wish to free you?  What are the bonds that are preventing the free flow of God’s grace in your life, and what are the sins that are masking God’s full image from being revealed in you?

Second, remember that you are  claimed.   God has placed a unique calling in your life, for the task of building the kingdom here on earth.  Remember that no matter what happens, you belong to God, and you have been chosen for a purpose greater than your self-interest.   

Finally,  draw near  to Jesus.  Be intentional during this upcoming Holy Week to recalibrate yourself toward the disciplines, priorities, and way of Christ.  Surrender yourself to the cross you are called to bear, as we follow the One whose cross brought us new life. 

I don’t know about you, but I somewhat wish we included Theodulf’s sixth verse in our hymnal.  Regardless, we can all work to live out its words, and try to be “a little ass” for Jesus.  (And Neale was right; try reading that without a smile on your face!)

Grace and Peace,

Magrey

The Rev. Magrey R. deVega

St. Paul's United Methodist Church

531 W. Main St.

Cherokee, IA  51012

Ph:  712-225-3955

Email:  mdevega@sp-umc.org

A PRAYER OF BLESSING FOR THE SEASON

We invite folks throughout the Cherokee area, particularly those in the farming community, to join us at the fairgrounds this Saturday at 4pm for a specialprayer of blessing for the season.  It will start with a brief 15-minute prayer service, followed by a free meal provided by the Cherokee Pork Producers.  If you would like to help with set up, service, or cleanup, please let me know. 

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

April 13:  Palm Sunday Celebration, 10:10am

April 17:  Maundy Thursday, 7:00pm

April 18:  Good Friday, 7:00pm

April 20:  Easter Sunday

            Identical Worship Services at 7:00am and 10:10am

            Fellowship in the New Kitchen and Dining Hall Between Services

NEW KITCHEN AND DINING HALL OPENING

We are excited to be back in our new kitchen and dining hall starting Easter Sunday, April 20, for fellowship between services.  We look forward to the grand opening and dedication of the space on Sunday, June 1, after the morning worship service.  

To view past editions of the Mid-Week Message, visit  http://mdevega.blogspot.com. 

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