I Love Tortillas

By Michele Hayward
Readings for March 21, 2024: Preparing for Palm Sunday

To paraphrase Oprah Winfrey, I love tortillas. Not only are they delicious but they have emotional memory related to my grandmother’s fried bread.  One reading for Palm Sunday this year is from Deuteronomy 16:1-8 which is titled “The Feast of Unleavened Bread.” It explains sacrifice as evidenced by eating unleavened bread and following strict guidelines on food during the month of Abib, which is defined in relation to when growing barley is in a certain state to time the year (https://hoshanarabbah.org/blog/2019/01/04/the-month-of-the-abib/ for more information). Eating tortillas isn’t part of the sacrifice for me but connecting with an earlier, leaner life is. As we enter into Holy Week, I always reflect on the recent Lenten season and think about which parts, while listening to the poetry within the hymns and the readings throughout that emphasize prior journeys in Faith, have spoken to me about my life. I invite you to spend a few minutes doing the same.

The other reading, Philippians 2:1-11, reminds us to be of “Christ-like humility”, to “be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” That is a tall order for any Christian. As we enter Holy Week, I will try to remember to slow down the pace. My natural inclination, and maybe yours, is to rush to the majesty. Easter is, after all, the most glorious time in the church where we trumpet and sing in gratitude for the risen Lord. But before all the magnificence, let’s stay in the penitent season for a few days longer, walk in Jesus’ steps, and feel His journey.