Palm Sunday
Year C
Psalm 31:9-16; Luke 23:1-49
3/28/10
Lorraine Ljunggren

        The streets are packed with pilgrims who've come up to Jerusalem. Spring is in the air and people are ready to celebrate. Few of the pilgrims packed together in the narrow streets expect the kind of celebration which is about to sweep into town. But, ready or not, it begins.

        At first the shouting voices are only muffled sounds competing with the noise of people talking and children laughing. One can't actually discern what the voices are saying. But soon, very soon, the shout of “Hosanna! Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” becomes clear. It causes people to stop and look ahead or stop to look over their shoulders. “What on earth is going on?!” someone asks.

        But before anyone can answer the question, people begin jostling one another to see better what all the commotion is about. Down the street, above the heads of the crowd, tree branches and palm fronds are waving.

        Then, as if parting like the Red Sea, folks quickly step to the side, making way for the strangest thing. Like a wave moving onto the shore people young and old are almost dancing as they shout and wave their branches. It is like a parade, a very joyous parade!

        Surely some very important dignitary is coming down the street. But, no! How absurd is this?! All the fuss is being made over a man riding on a colt, of all things! And, look, he's not even wearing fine clothes! And, the women and men walking behind the colt don't look any more impressive! And, yet, their faces are lit up as if this is the greatest day of their lives!

        Strangely enough, the energy in the moving mass of people is infectious. Soon, others who are standing by – those who have no branches or palms – start tossing their cloaks onto the street in front of this man. The shouts of “Hosanna”
ripple through the crowd.

        But, the man on the colt seems unusually serene amid the flurry of activity. When he looks at the surrounding crowds of people, he appears resolute, as if he has made some important decision. Then, in the next moment, he has the kindest look on his face, as if he is aware of some amazing truth everyone else would like to possess.

        Soon enough the parade passes on. Most pilgrims do not realize they have witnessed an event which will be commemorated and re-enacted for generations to come. The pilgrims have seen Jesus of Nazareth pass by. For some in the crowd, whose eyes meet Jesus', the day will be long remembered.

        Here we are generations later still waving our palms and shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”

        I find myself grateful we begin this day with such a joyous parade. We need that joy to be with us as some other parts of Jesus' story unfolds.

        Thank you for being here today. Thank you for being part of the parade and then for listening to the part of Jesus' story we'd honestly prefer to skip altogether. Both parts of Jesus' story are important. All the stories of this week we call Holy Week are important.

        Truth be told, this day, Palm Sunday – the Sunday of the Passion, is actually like a tiny mirror reflecting the realities of life. Like the story of Jesus' trial and crucifixion, there is pain and suffering in our lives and in the lives of humans around the globe. And, like the story of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem and the coming Resurrection, there is also joy in our lives and in the lives of others around our world.

        When we look into a mirror at our own reflections, we do know a vulnerable human being looks back at us. We have days when we are all too aware of how vulnerable we humans are. The chances and changes of this life have the power to
remind us over and over again of the fragile nature of life itself. And on this day of palms and crosses Jesus of Nazareth is all too well acquainted with vulnerability.

        There are also days when, in looking into a mirror, we see ourselves fairly
bristling with self-confidence, days on which we feel that life is grand, that all's
right with the world, and that we can handle whatever life throws at us. As he enters the Holy City of Jerusalem surely Jesus is confident that, whatever befalls him, God is present and will be present, ultimately making things right in the world.

        The Good News of Palm Sunday, and of all the events recounted in Holy
Week, is that Jesus the Christ is present with us both in the pain of life, whenever
we need help, and, is present with us in the joys of life, whenever we have occasion to give thanks.

        Whether we are shouting “Hosanna” or “Crucify,” we do so as people who know the end of the story. We re-live Holy Week as people of the Resurrection with all the amazing and eternal love that day brings. But, before we rush to that day, let us enter fully into the week as Jesus experiences is – from parade to the washing of feet, to the sharing of bread and wine, to the cross and the silence of the tomb – let us dive deeply into the spiritual journey that is Holy Week.

        For Jesus goes up to Jerusalem knowing full well that love for God and for God's people are often accompanied by sacrifice. But, in all the events which unfold in Jerusalem and in our own individual and corporate lives, it is Jesus' love for God and for all of God's people which will bring us to the joys of Easter Day. Amen.

©2010 Lorraine Ljunggren