PostScript: Moved to compassion
As we draw closer to Easter, Mark’s Gospel moves us on from praise (Mark 11.1-11) to passion (Mark 14.1–15.47).
Context
Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday? Depending on your tradition, you may be focusing on different elements of the readings for this Sunday. But in both sets, this is a time of preparation and of journeying, of drawing closer to the cross and all that it will bring – both pain and eventual blessing.
- Seven celebrities, some of faith and others not, have undertaken the journey along the Camino de Santiago for the BBC’s three-part series Pilgrimage: The Road to Santiago, which is being broadcast in the lead-up to Easter.
- Across the country this week many people have been taking part in Sport Relief events to raise money for charity, including an attempt to record one billion steps together by the finale on Friday 23 March.
- Musical theatre composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, turns 70 this week and his memoir, Unmasked, which was published this month, formed the focus of the BBC’s imagine… arts’ documentary in the past week.
Reflection
Passion and compassion
Today’s extensive readings take us on a dizzying emotional rollercoaster. First, the celebratory entrance into Jerusalem, all palms and praise (Mark 11.1-11). Then, the tenderness of the anointing in Bethany and the angry questioning it provokes. The bittersweet gathering of the Last Supper, where the warmth of a meal with loved ones is cut through with an icy warning of future betrayal. And on, on we go through the quiet of the garden framing Jesus’ prayers of pain; betrayals both private and public, delicate and violent; the whispers by the fireside; the shouts of the crowd baying for Barrabbas; the darkness of the cross; and, before the chapter closes and the tomb is sealed shut, a brief moment of light when a centurion recognises: ‘Truly this man was God’s Son!’ (Mark 14.1–15.47).
The Passion narrative is filled to the brim with dramatic moments and passion, both in the old sense, of suffering, and our more modern sense of heightened emotions. As such, it has naturally inspired many works of art and creativity, including Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musical Jesus Christ Superstar. While the show might not be to everyone’s tastes (spiritually or musically!), it includes some undeniably evocative moments. The song ‘Gethsemane’ – which you can find performed by artists including Michael Ball on YouTube or streaming services – imagines Jesus’ prayer in the garden, as he asks to be spared the ‘cup of poison’. It’s a visceral cry of pain, anger and fear, heart-rending in performance, that doesn’t quite resolve to a calm surrender as in the Gospel narrative. Baron Lloyd Webber’s memoir reveals that he once very seriously contemplated suicide as a young man. Perhaps his own past emotional distress left him with an understanding that informs the music.
Because of the song’s refusal to end on a full and comfortable resolution, it forces a confrontation with Jesus’ distress at this point on his journey. It’s something that can be easy to gloss over in a swift read through the verses, where in just a few words we can step past the cup of pain and move straight on to ‘but what you want’, missing out on the struggle before just as surely as the sleeping disciples. Yet in reality, when we try to avoid facing pain – our own, or that of others – it is rarely helpful, or successful. The true compassion to which we are called in Christ requires us to be with others in their suffering, just as Jesus asked his disciples to be with him, despite their failings, and just as our God actually is with us.
Whatever moves you
One of the ways that people through the centuries have tried to remember Christ’s sufferings, either as a means of growing in discipleship, of contemplation, of thanksgiving, or for many other reasons, is to go on a pilgrimage. While it seems unlikely from the first episode that we’ll see any dramatic life or faith changes among those travelling the Camino de Santiago in the BBC documentary, they do seem to be learning more about themselves and others as they undertake the journey, and grow in understanding and compassion.
There will be similar stories of personal growth from many of those undertaking physical challenges for Sports Relief, whether televised or not. The campaign’s motto this year, ‘Whatever moves you’, hints at the charity’s sporting theme; at discovering and working with motivation and purpose; and at compassion, being ‘moved’ by the situation of those who need help. And it’s in this that there is some resonance with the gospel for those of us who know the good news it brings.
In both cases, the pilgrimage and the challenges, there’s a goal in sight, to reach the cathedral, or to complete that marathon, that swim, or those billion steps. And once the goal is reached there will be a celebration, even if it’s not always quite as glamorous as the telethon that will top off Sports Relief week on Friday.
And so we return, at last, to where we began, that triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The palms and praise raised in celebration were not just intended for that one day, but also as a promise of what lies ahead, at Easter, when Jesus will rise again, God with us. Hallelujah!
Prayer
A prayer to use in quiet, in hard times, closing with words from Isaiah 50.8-9a.
Lord Jesus,
When I am struggling with pain, with fear, with anger;
when I don’t want to face the day ahead because of the challenges that it will bring;
when I feel I have been let down by those I love, and left to carry on alone –
remind me, Lord, that you have been here before me.
Knowing what was to come, you cried out to God in distress,
while your friends slept, unable or unwilling to remain by your side.
And so, I know that you understand what it is to be here, where I am.
In the midst of my suffering, I know that you have been here before me.
And yet, with God’s strength, you stood up and you carried on.
And so, Lord, I ask that you will take my hand.
Help me to take the next steps on my journey with you.
Let us stand up together:
It is the Lord God who helps me!
Amen.
Questions
- Have you ever been on a difficult journey? Did you give up, or persevere to the end? What did you learn along the way?
- What challenges do you face that you would like to be able to refuse? Where can you draw strength to face them? From God, from others in the congregation?
- Who has walked with you in times that you have experienced difficulty? How did they help? How can you thank them? How can you learn from this in order to be there for others?
All-age activity
If anyone in your congregation has done the pilgrimage to Santiago, perhaps ask them to share a little of their experience with the congregation, highlighting why they did it, something difficult along the way, and something they learned from it.
In my local area, the churches generally get together on Good Friday for a silent walk of witness through the high street of one of the local towns, culminating in an outdoor service in the park. It involves getting permission to close some of the roads for a short period of time, so it’s a little late to organise something like this for this year! However, you could go for a mini spiritual journey of your own, alone, or in small groups. You could walk in silence, observing and praying with compassion for the places and people you pass. Or you could do the walk as a way of getting to know others in the congregation better, practising compassion by starting with those close to you! It can sometimes be easier to open up, to talk with meaning, and listen well, while walking side by side, moving onwards together, rather than sat face to face.
Young people
If you intend to use the song ‘Sing’ as suggested in the Young people’s activity in Scene 1 Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, you might like to know that it was written by Gary Barlow together with Andrew Lloyd Webber. You could perhaps also listen to one of the performances of Lloyd-Webber’s ‘Gethsemane’ available online, and use it as a way in to talking about how we cope with difficult feelings. We can bring these feelings to God in prayer, with confidence that we will be heard and understood, not rejected. Even Jesus felt pain and fear! Do also mention services to which young people who are struggling through hard times can turn, whether that be counselling services in your own local area, Childline or the Samaritans. Sometimes we need practical help or a human ear too, and God can work through these services to help us.
Rebecca Froley was one of the team for the original launch of ROOTS, and worships at her local Baptist church in Surrey. She loves musical theatre, from Sondheim to Andrew Lloyd Webber.
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