Minnesota Episcopal
Environmental Stewardship
Commission (MEESC)

Reflection on Matthew 26: 36 – 27: 66
by Nan Stokes

This is Year A of the Lectionary, and we read the passion story from Matthew, who doesn't gloss over the details! All the politics and conniving are there for us to read about. Many churches assign parts to members of the congregation, and the story becomes more powerful and real when we hear those different voices. We take the part of the crowd, and can appreciate the madness as the people cried out for Barrabas and for Jesus to be crucified. Matthew adds, "His blood be on us and on our children!" After the somber observance of Lent, including the disciplines we have chosen for ourselves (whether "taking on" a special task, or "giving up" something that is important to us), we look forward to the joyful Palm Sunday procession with music and palm branches. No wonder the happiness turns to sorrow as we watch those green palms turn to the hard wood of the cross. Our hearts will be wrung by the events of the coming week! The new tomb, which belonged to Joseph of Arimathea, had been hewn in the rock – the part of the earth available to the peoples in that country. Pilate told the chief priests and the Pharisees to see to it that their guard of soldiers made the tomb as secure as they could. So they sealed the stone, and the stage is set.

Nan Stokes (1929-2010) was an active member of St. Edward's Episcopal Church, Duluth, MN, when she originally wrote this reflection in 1999. Nan and we welcome your comments. Please address your comments or additional reflections to any MEESC member, or mail them to: