The Rocks Will Cry Out

March 24, 2024

Palm Sunday

Mark 14:1—15:47

Today we celebrate Palm Sunday, marking Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and the beginning of his passion. The people line up on the side of road and proclaim Jesus as Messiah and King. Because that's what they wanted Jesus to be. Tired of Roman occupation with the fear, taxes and cruelty that came along with it, the people longed for a new day.

The problem is, Jesus never claimed to be Messiah or King. His message was peace, love, and forgiveness. Yet, as he rides into Jerusalem on the back of a young donkey, he realizes that his efforts, while not in vain, are going to end with his death. He knows there is nothing he can do to stop it. The people are too excited and too expectant to be denied their Messiah. And so, the palms line the road, the coats are strewn on the thoroughfare and the shouts go up to the heavens.

While we do not read it in today’s Gospel from Mark, in Luke’s Gospel, when told by the Chief Priests to hush the crowd, “Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, if my followers didn’t say these things, then the stones would cry out.” [Lk 19:40] Jesus may sound triumphant, but he is merely speaking the simple truth. The whole of Israel is so excited that Jesus is in Jerusalem for Passover, they cannot contain themselves. And if they were not allowed to sing and shout, their energy would transfer into the very ground and cause the stones to cry out for them.

What a shame that the energy that all the people could not have continued for the rest of the week. Accustomed to being cowed into obedience by the Romans as well as the religious leaders, the people do indeed become silent and lose their energy and excitement. As a result, the rocks also stay silent. And Jesus must die.

I reflect on how many times I have gotten so excited about a cause, only to have that excitement snuffed out and turned to disappointment. How many times have I proclaimed that I’ll never turn my back on an issue, only to become afraid and meek and turn away. What marvelous things I could have accomplished in my life had I only been steadfast and determined and unafraid.

Recently, it was announced that 158 cherry trees in Washington, DC will be cut down because of the rising sea levels that have inundated the roots and they have drowned. Many, many more are threatened. The cherry trees around the Tidal Basin were first planted more than a century ago. It will require a $113 million project to raise the basin walls. A finger in the dike.

This is but one small example of what our seacoasts, indeed the seacoasts around the world, will face in the coming years. Yes, some people (not all) are up in arms about this problem. Our world is faced with an existential crisis right now. But since not everyone lives on a seashore, not everyone thinks this is a big deal. In the United States, we’ll be faced with the fact some folks will have to move inland. Some businesses will close when the seas water laps into their foyers.

But in other parts of the world, people will lose everything. Their homes, their livelihoods, their entire way of life. Among the hardest hit areas will be tropical and sub-tropical river deltas where rivers meet the sea. Because such deltas often are the sites of port cities, large human populations will be exposed to significantly higher risk. Hardest hit areas will include the U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast, Asia, and island nations.

If only all of the people of the world were to rise up and shout for a change. If only the whole world was so excited about Jesus and protecting all of God’s creation, they could not contain themselves. And if they were not allowed to sing and shout, their energy would transfer into the very ground and cause the stones to cry out for them. Will the rocks rise up and cry out? Will the animals and wildlife who inhabit the deltas, marshes and coastlines cry out for help? Are they not now? But do I listen? Do I hear? Alas, the people do indeed become silent and lose their energy and excitement. As a result, the rocks also stay silent. And the world will die.

Sharing the Good News of Jesus means sharing his concern for the entirety of the world. God made all of creation – the rocks, the trees, the animals, and yes, us humans. Jesus taught us to love and care for everyone and for everything. When I am out and about, I am called to be a caretaker of all of God’s wonderous and beautiful creation. If someone sees me picking up a plastic bottle or piece of trash, maybe they’ll do the same. Maybe we’ll meet at a trash can, share a smile, a fist-bump, and, maybe, a conversation about why this is so important.

Every Day.