Purim

Hamantaschen cookies, the traditional treat of Purim

   One of my favorite things about chaplaincy in the residential treatment center setting, is helping my students celebrate the holy days and holidays of their many faith traditions. Today is Purim, the day which commemorates the Jewish people in Persia being saved from extermination. You remember the story. Esther is asked by her cousin to not fully disclose her identity--that of being Jewish. However, through a series of twists and turns in the plot, the time comes where Esther is counseled by her cousin Mordecai to no longer keep silent. ..."who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14) Esther calls for all of the Jews in Persia to fast and pray for three days and then risks her life to go unsummoned before the king. Prayers are answered. Esther is able to speak to the king, and the Jews of Persia are spared.
     Have you ever been asked to do something really hard? Have you been Divinely prompted to do that which seems next to impossible? Perhaps you like Esther have been "brought to the kingdom for such a time as this." YOU were born for a reason. Your life has purpose and YOU and I can do hard things. The same Heavenly help which was there for Esther will be there for us as we seek to understand His will. Cross my heart.

Palm Sunday and a Temple

It's an exciting time of year to be a chaplain! It's Lent. It's nearly Purim-- the holiday which celebrates the Jewish people in Persia being saved from extermination, and today is Palm Sunday. Holy Week is here!
     Palm Sunday commemorates the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem where palm fronds were waved, and clothes and palms were strewn in His path. (See Matthew 21:8 KJV) Those green palms symbolized Everlasting Life and were a sign of goodness and victory. The victory of He who IS truly good.
     I've always thought this is where the "red carpet treatment" may have had its beginnings. Today when "important people" pull up in front of a fancy place, for a grand event, the red carpet is placed in their path and people wave in excitement. In the era of the cowboy, and the taming of America, a coat or cloak would be placed along the way of a dirty or muddy path, to protect someone of esteemed importance from becoming soiled. Was it from this day known as Passion Sunday or Palm Sunday that those traditions came to be? We will probably never know for certain.
     Today a new temple of the Lord will be dedicated in Provo Utah. I love the symbolism and the timing. That this House of the Lord is being dedicated on Palm Sunday which ushers in the holiest week in Christianity, is significant. In today's temple dedication ceremonies, white handkerchiefs will be waved symbolizing the palm fronds waved during Jesus's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, and the Hosanna Shout will be heard. Goodness and victory will be represented in this House of the Lord and all who enter will be reminded of Everlasting Life. With those handkerchief's waved and hosanna being shouted in adoration and praise, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords will be welcomed to a temple built in His name. It's an awesome day to be an Interfaith Chaplain who also happens to be Mormon.