Palm Sunday Service

Palm Sunday begins what we know as Holy Week in the liturgical life of the Church. On this day, we remember how Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem, hailed and celebrated as the Messiah. Jewish pilgrims filled the streets, having arrived to celebrate the Passover in the days ahead. With shouts of “Hosanna!” which means, “Save, I pray!” they welcomed fellow worshipers, singing psalms of celebration which would be directed at Jesus as he entered the city. 

We remember this day how disciples and pilgrims alike laid their cloaks and outer garments on the road, and waved palm branches over the one they hailed as the coming king of Israel. The question we must ask ourselves for Palm Sunday however, is what kind of king do we expect? This king comes riding not on a charger, suited for war, but on a donkey, the symbol of peace. Jesus is indeed the Messiah, the anointed one, the king of all Creation. But he is also the suffering servant who will humble himself, even to the point of death upon a cross, for the entire world. What kind of king, indeed.