Twenty Centuries Past

As I prepare for Palm Sunday and Holy Week, I'm reading through Let Justice Roll Down: A Worship Resource for Lent, Holy Week and Easter. One of the Palm Sunday prayers in this anthology is by John Young of Scotland (page 125). In 2015 the poem may have to say that it's nearly twenty-one centuries past now, but the words are just as relevant.

Twenty Centuries Past

Twenty centuries past, what city has not heard of your coming?
From Beijing to Berlin, from Jerusalem to Johannesburg, from New York to New Delhi
surely the word has spread that you've come in peace, not violence
to enrich, renew, transform our lives and bring us to shalom?

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Twenty centuries past, what city has not heard of your church?
From Catholic, Orthodox, or Reformed, Anglican, Evangelical or Pentecostal
surely the message of acceptance, healing, confidence
in your royal advent, has been passed on through faithful living?

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Twenty centuries past, what city has not rejected you?
From penthouse to tenement, from factory to leisure centre, from theme park to concert hall,
surely the news is that this life is for taking, not giving
and what stands in the way of this lifestyle must now be removed?

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Twenty centuries past, what city does Christ seek to enter?
From leafy suburb to shanty town, from housing estate to West End flat, from salon to slum,
surely the sign of the church free from pride, united in deed,
must be the welcome Christ longs for as he enters your city?

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.