Palm Sunday

Where do we go from here?

After all these years I am moved more by Palm Sunday than any other Sunday liturgy. Despite knowing what will come, I continue to be surprised as to how quickly my well-practiced “Hosannas” become shouts of “Crucify Him”.

Today’s psalm is part of the turning point. The refrain; “My God, My God, O why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1) are the words of Jesus as he hangs on the cross. (Matthew 27:46)

Then there’s the palm. People young and old love holding it, braiding it and making it into crosses. Many of us have a piece of it somewhere in our home or car. Yet the palm of which we are so fascinated will soon become the ashes placed on our foreheads (should we be blessed with another turn around the sun).

So.....where do we go from here? How about the most important liturgy in the church year? 

This liturgy begins this Thursday night where we remember Jesus’ Last Supper by celebrating the Eucharist and washing the feet of 12 parishioners.

The liturgy continues on Friday with the celebration of the Lord’s Passion in 3 parts: The Liturgy of the Word (including the reading of the passion from John’s gospel,) the Adoration of the Cross and Holy Communion.

The liturgy concludes on Saturday with the Easter Vigil the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

Blessed to be in ministry at St. Mary’s,

Bruce