I had this conversation again recently with a friend. Pentecost is a big deal, and it deserves way more celebration than it typically gets.

What if every believer, no matter the denomination, looked upon each other with familial love and charity? What if we focused on what we shared and celebrated that together. What if, rather than assuming the worst of each other, we instead celebrated the faith we find in each other and moved forward in our discussion and argument with deep abiding respect and love, assuming the best intention at every turn? I have to tell you. I think it is worth a try.

Sometimes, in our desire to honor the Lord, we lose sight of him. We can get so focused on the paintings that we miss the person. Jesus was, is, and always will be, a real person with a personality. Yes, he is God, but that does not make him less alive. It makes him more alive. We are called to live in relationship with the person of Jesus Christ through the power of his Holy Spirit.

Are you living in the peace of Christ? Are you trying to walk this Christian life through your own power, or are you relying on his? Examine your life. Where is the anxiety? Where is the fear? What is eating at you? Acknowledge those things and then remember the word of, Christ. Peace be with you. Consciously choose to take those things and offer them to the Lord.

The cross is for you. He died to set you free.

The challenge of Palm Sunday is not who can make the best cross from a palm frond. No, the challenge is facing that we are the people who would cry our "Hosanna" on Palm Sunday, and "Crucify Him!" on Good Friday. We like to think that we would be better, but if we are honest about how we live our lives, we need to face that we are no different than the people who were there 2000 years ago.

The good news is the Jesus knows that. And he chooses the cross for us.

Jesus jumps right into the problem. He confronts the woman with the truth, and she has a choice. Face it, or run from it. She runs.

All too often, we do the same.

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This week in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus touches a leper and heals him. But here is the thing, lepers were, well, kinda gross. So, Jesus touching this guy is a big deal.