Palm Sunday

Today is Palm Sunday, it was a relatively normal day for me filled with church and family. But last year I walked from Bethphage to Jerusalem, walking the path of Christ.

The day started early for me as I had the opportunity to go play the bells at the YMCA but, that afternoon the whole center walked to the starting point of the Palm Sunday Walk. All along the way were young Palestinian boys selling palm leaves. Of course, I wanted the biggest one; and I got it. Some of the boys were having a harder time getting the leaves for the low price that the girls were getting them for. For some reason, the girls got the best price.

The walk started and it was the biggest sea of people I had been in. Shoulder to shoulder crowds shuffled along the path to enter the gates of Jerusalem. As I walked, my palm leaf grew heavy and I quickly realized my mistake of desiring the largest one. While it makes for great pictures, that is about all it is good for. One of my good friends, helped me strip the lower leaves to lighten my load and provide a more comfortable hand hold.

As we walked people sang, danced, played music, anything imaginable. Countless Christian faiths gathered in remembrance of the Savior's entry into Jerusalem. In that time it didn't matter what we each believed and the differences we all had. What mattered was our belief in the Savior and the message of hope and redemption that he brings. It truly was amazing to witness the unity of the faiths as I picked up on their songs and sang with them or others listened as a small band of humble Mormons sang four part harmony.

While on this walk, my friend and I were pulled aside and interviewed by Fox News. Though our interview never aired, it was truly wonderful to be able to share my thoughts and opinions on the Palm Sunday walk in Jerusalem and the unity of numberless people united by their faith in Christ. It was an opportunity for be to be and example of the believers.

Bethlehem

My field trip this week would have been to Bethlehem. The very city that Christ was born. Going to Bethlehem was one of the few times that we were allowed to pass into Palestinian territory. However, we journeyed comfortably by bus, unlike the pregnant Mary and Joseph who journeyed from Nazareth to Bethlehem as part of the census.

While in the city we went to the Church of the Nativity. This is believed to be the birth place of Christ. At the time it was under renovation inside, but it did not detract from the spirit and meaning in the church. My class waited amongst the crowd to into the Grotto where the site of Christ's birth had been preserved. Though sometimes we wish these sights could be viewed as they were when the events occurred, a true cave or field, but the best way for something to be preserved through the centuries is to put a church on top of it.

During my time in the Holy Land, I had become very accustomed to crowds at such sites. I had observed the incredible dedication of people from all over the world coming to these places just to be there for a few seconds; this was typically the case because of the mass of people. This was no different.

I entered the Grotto with a handful of other classmates. I took my picture by the star (where Christ was born), walked around, and took my picture where Mary laid Christ. The Grotto was already crowded with many other people and amidst this incredible place and the spirit within, I heard a man begin to curse and use the Lord's name in vain. in this moment, my spirit sank. I couldn't believe how someone could be so disrespectful because of the displeasure of a crowd. It truly took me aback as I began to ponder what it meant for me to come to these places. Surely it would be nice to have been able to take my time and ponder and pray; but I did not need to visit these sights to have a confirming witness of Christ's birth and his divinity. 

Though this man may have lost sight of his testimony and the reason he had come to see Christ's birthplace, he reminded me why I came. I pondered my purpose as we went to the Shepard's Field later that night. At the time, I had no desire to go home, but to remain there surrounded by the spirit. But,

I came home edified with my testimony strengthened. Some people wear the heart on their sleeve, but I wear my testimony on my sleeve. I carry with me my life for Christ and his great atoning sacrifice.

Judgement Day

At this time last year, I was not on a bus to any ancient site, I was not wandering through the old city immersed in culture and knowledge. Instead, I was comfortably studying for finals inside the good old JC. Anyone who's in college or remembers what it was like in college can recall the anxiety and anticipation of finals. Sometimes teetering between two grades, desperate to make up the difference in that final test. At least in my generation, it seems pretty standard to coast through the semester and then spend the nights before the test cramming and memorizing before that day of judgment. 

But what about the real day of judgement? How are you preparing for the day you will stand accountable before the Lord and be judged? Like the parable of the ten virgins, we are taught that we must always be prepared for the glorious day of the Lord. The trouble is, unlike finals, we do not know when Christ will come again to reign on the Earth. We do not know when we will stand before God on judgement day. 

We cannot cram the night before. We cannot coast through life being apathetic towards God and his commandments. Doing is not being prepared. We must constantly be striving to become more perfected in Christ. We must always be working to be better, stronger, purer if we expect to stand confident before God. 

Some people get discouraged at the thought of falling short. But, we are not asked to be perfect. We cannot become perfect in this life. If we could then Christ and all he suffered and did for us would be unnecessary. The key to this life is to try. Day by day, try. Try a little harder to be a little better. I would admonish you to pick something that you can do to be a little better and help prepare you for the day you will stand in the presence of God. For me, I will be a little kinder, serve a little more, and judge a little less.