Prayer of Confession:

Great Creator, forgive me
when I speak before listening,
when I speak over my neighbor,
when I speak with barbed words.

Creator God, forgive me
when I listen to society,
when I listen to my friends,
when I listen to the news,
but I do not listen to you.

Creator God, forgive me
when I shout out, but do not shout your name,
when I listen, but do not listen for your voice.
Forgive me.
Create in me a heart like yours.
Amen.

"If You Really Listen..."

In the city you’ll hear horns, the clatter of the subway,
mothers calling to their children, saying, “Take my hand before we cross the street.”
You’ll hear church bells, Salvation Army bells,
people asking for spare change, while others ask for directions.
You’ll hear the whistle from the traffic cop,
the exhaust from the bus,
that a train is arriving in two minutes.
You’ll hear mothers selling fresh mango,
theater kids selling tickets,
and religious groups selling ideas.
But even with all that shouting,
even with all that noise,
the birds still sing.
Against all odds,
thanks be to God,
the birds still sing.

The Gospel:

Luke 19:29-40

When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, "Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it.'" So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" They said, "The Lord needs it." Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying,

 "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!

 Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!"

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, order your disciples to stop." He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out."