Sunday of Christ Passion: Palm Sunday

by Rev. Canon David B. Tabo-oy

v7They brought the colt to Jesus, threw their cloaks over the animal, and Jesus got on. v8Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches in the field and spread them on the road. v9The people who were in front and those who followed behind began to shout, “Praise God! God bless him who comes in the name of the Lord! v10God bless the coming kingdom of King David, our father! Praise be to God!”v11Jesus entered Jerusalem, went into the Temple, and looked around at everything. But since it was already late in the day, he went out to Bethany with the twelve disciples.– Mark 11:7-11
(Most part of this article is shared at the Episcopal Church in the Philippines Weekly Memory Verse with Reflections Program in Facebook(ECP.Official) bearing the same title appearing this week. dbt)
Around 2000 years ago, Christ entered the city of Jerusalem greeted by crowds throwing branches and coats before him and shouting, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” This event was not a happenstance, but a fulfillment of a prophecy made some 450-500 years before Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem that day.
“v9Rejoice, rejoice, people of Zion! Shout for joy, you people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you! He comes triumphant and victorious, but humble and riding on a donkey—on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9).
This momentous event is called Palm Sunday and isnow celebrated from pompous procession of clergy in deep-red vestments followed by the faithful bearing elaborately woven palms toaustereclergy and acolytes-led procession with congregants toting simple coconut or palm fronds singing traditional hymns. Most common includes “All Glory Laud and Honor” a hymn translated by Anglican clergyman John Mason Neale from the original Latin text written by Theodulf Orleans in 820, the chorus and first stanza proclaim:
All glory, laud, and honor
To thee, Redeemer, King
To whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring
Thou art the King of Israel
Thou David’s royal Son
Who in the Lord’s name comest
The King and Blessed One
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Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the Holy Week leading to Easter Sunday. It commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem when people laid down palms and branches before him as a sign of honor. According to scholars, Palm Sunday dates back to the 4th century in Jerusalem. The ceremony wasn’t introduced to Western Christianity until about the 9th century. This liturgical celebration is now officially called, The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday which starts with the Liturgy of Palms and concludeswith the celebration of the Holy Eucharist with the reading of the passion narrative in the gospels, hence, the liturgical designation.
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The liturgical celebration of the Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday is a reminder of the selfless love Jesus showed by laying down his life for us, and it is a time to reflect on our own lives and how we can show that same love to those around us.Traditionally, Palm Sunday was dedicated to celebrating Christ entering Jerusalem and Good Friday was dedicated to remembering Christ’s death. But for a profounder theological meaning we hear the story of Christ’s crucifixion on Palm Sunday. The resurrection without the passion does not fully tell the story of Christ’s sacrifice for us. Hence, on Palm Sunday now called Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday tells the story not only of the Triumphal Entry of Jesus in Jerusalem but also his crucifixion in Calvary.
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Palm Sunday was the “beginning of the end” of Jesus’ work on earth.As Jesus ascended toward Jerusalem, a large multitude gathered around Him. This crowd understood that Jesus was the Messiah; what they did not understand was that it wasn’t time to set up the kingdom yet—although Jesus had tried to tell them so (Luke 19:11–12). On that first Palm Sunday, the people also honored Jesus verbally:‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!’” (Matthew 21:9). In their praise of Jesus, the Jewish crowds were quoting Psalm 118:25–26, an acknowledged prophecy of the Christ. Even as the coatless multitudes waved the palm branches and shouted for joy, they missed the true reason for Jesus’ presence. They could neither see nor understand the cross.
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As Jesus approached the cheering crowd welcoming him, he saw that his people wanted political peace but were in desperate need of spiritual peace.Palm Sunday makes no sense today unless we understand that shortly after, Jesus would die and pay the price for all, no matter who we are, to forgive our sins and to give us anentrance into a new kingdom called the kingdom of Heaven. In ancient times when kings would come to town or when conquering warriors would come in, they would welcome them with palm branches, which they would throw on the ground in front of them. These symbolize goodness and victory. Conquering kings typically rode in chariots or on the back of stallions. But Jesus rode in a donkey a symbol of peace and humility, but also represents the fulfillment of a prophecy from Zechariah 9:9 mentioned earlier. He is the King of peace – the conqueror of the grave.
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The sufferings of Christ which we recall in a special way during Holy Week (read during this Palm Sunday service in Mark 14:1-15:47) have been a source of strength to countless people throughout the ages. His passion gives us at least a tiny glimpse into the mystery of suffering that surrounds us on all sides. In times of trials, suffering and mental torture often what keeps people going gives them strength and inspiration is the knowledge that they are at one with Jesus who suffered in the same way before them yet willingly submitted to his Father’s will. This final week of Lent offers us an opportunity to bring our hearts and harmony with Christ. Let us make a special effort to listen to the passion story in a spirit of prayer and embrace its meaning. The gift of our salvation that cost Jesus so much is freely given to us so that by believing in Him, we might be forgiven, redeemed, justified, sanctified, and glorified.
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The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday is a celebratory worship service not only because Jesus entered triumphantly to Jerusalem but also his victory over the cross and the grave. Jesus died on the cross and when he died on the cross, he died for all of us, not for some of us, not for a few chosen few, but all of us. But that is not the end of the story. He rose again from the grave that all those who believe will not perish but will have life everlasting.
Let us pray
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday Collect, BCP).**