Palm Sunday

Today is Palm Sunday.  For those who don’t know, Palm Sunday is the celebration of Jesus’ triumphant ride into Jerusalem before he was murdered.  Yeah, I know the proper term is “crucified” but, lets face it, he was murdered.  Tortured and killed in ways that makes water boarding look like a swim in a kiddy pool.

When I grew up, Palm Sunday was strictly the observance of Palm Sunday. Meaning we just concentrated on that aspect of the story.  The church I attend now switches the focus shortly after the service begins to the story of the Passion of Christ.  We start off with the customary raising of palm branches and saying “Hosanna” and singing triumphant songs.  We even walk up the church aisle that has been strewn with palm branches (makes it just a little slippery) to mimic what it was like in Jerusalem on that day.

After the singing, the Kyrie, prayers and Bible readings, we shift our focus to the telling of the Passion story.  Today it was done with a power point accompanying it and with six readers doing different parts.  Since I run the power points at my church, I attended all three services and heard this presentation six times (one rehearsal for each service and then the three services).  Each time, I was shocked by the chorus of “crucify him” from all the readers at that point in the story.  Then, when the person reading Jesus’ part said “Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit”, I became choked up.

I don’t know how many times I have heard the Passion story in my life.  Almost every Good Friday since I was born (maybe missed a dozen or so times when I didn’t have a church to attend).  Then there is the movie by Mel Gibson which I have seen three or four times.  Then there are the various readings of the Passion.  Yet, with all of that exposure to it, it still chokes me up to think that Christ suffered so much and died so horribly to save me.  It makes me feel incredibly unworthy and incredibly loved.

I hope as this Holy Week progresses, everyone can take in the enormity of what Jesus did for each and everyone one of us. Then feel the deep sorrow that comes with this Good Friday and after that, the joyous celebration of Easter.