Palm Sunday - April 10, 2022

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Luke 19:28-40             Isaiah 50:4-7               Philipians 2:6-11        Luke 22:14—23:56

Palm Sunday often feels like a roller coaster of a day, which can be emotionally draining. We have the exaltation of the Lord as he processes into Jerusalem. There is the last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist, another beautiful and generous gesture of Jesus. And finally, we have the betrayal, death of Jesus, and despair for the future. How could we start the week so well, and then end up so badly by Good Friday? It is joyful, thankful, sorrowful, and finally–wonderful. We’ve all had weeks like that in our human lives, but we didn’t think it could happen to Jesus. I don’t think the Apostles ever thought it could happen either.

Palm Sunday helps me remember that Jesus walked among us in this broken physical world. It reminds me that he took on the difficulties of our human condition and taught us through examples and miracles to honor our mothers and fathers; to love generously, and to forgive one another.  It helps me remember the promise of salvation Jesus makes to all who encounter him and believe,  just as the good thief did from his own cross, saying: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Though he rode in as a king, Jesus ultimately taught us to bow down in order to rise up; to die so others might live; and to be the solution for sin, rather than a victim of it. It’s the convergence of our most important beliefs, all in one day, all in one week. It may be emotionally exhausting on earth, but it is life everlasting in heaven.

Q: How do the rituals and readings of Palm Sunday reflect the triumphs and sufferings of my own life?

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