Some of the Pharisees from the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, scold your disciples! Tell them to stop!”

He answered, “I tell you, if they were silent, the stones would shout.” – Luke 19:39-40

For me, especially since I have been in tune with the more somber rhythms of Lent, Palm Sunday has always stood out as an oasis of bright, positive, encouragement – some sunshine before the clouds and darkness of the events leading up to Good Friday and the Cross.

I love the parade of palm branches in the opening hymn – in our Florida church the children wielded massive palm fronds and you sat in an aisle seat at your own risk! I love the triumphant songs of “Loud Hosanna!” And I am moved at the idea of Jesus riding the donkey, the symbol of peace, from the Mount of Olives and the east, while on the opposite side of the city the governor entered on a warhorse, backed by the might of Rome.

Palm Sunday always seems to be a bright sunshiny day and this weekend was no exception. Cool temperatures, dogwood and azalea blooming, our community saturated in sunshine.

Of course we know the rest of the story and the anticipation of Easter next week is front and center. But for Jesus’ friends such a triumphal entry was a huge setup for disappointment because the parade led not to a coronation but a cross. And the fortunes of the little band went from zenith to nadir over the span of a few short days.

I am so very grateful to be living on this side of Easter Sunday! And so my prayer this week is that I do not avoid the invitation to also live into Christ’s Passion.

If you missed the opportunity to celebrate Palm Sunday yesterday, read the following words as a prayer.

When church sings praise and children wave
Palm branches wildly arms upraised
I close my eyes to see the streets thick with fronds beneath our feet.
While children kick up dust and run 
With faces turned toward the sun
And even adults burdened, broken, overwhelmed with fear unspoken
Catch the glory in the moment, see beyond the pain and foment
Catch their breath, breathe in the Holy
Spirit fill us, use us so we
Too will bring our lives to you.

May this week bring us all closer to the life Jesus offers - DEREK