Palm Sunday Readings: Isaiah 50:4–9a, Philippians 2:5–11
The Liturgy of the Palms; Mark 11:1–11 Jesus and his disciples head out of
Jericho and begin the twelve-mile walk to Jerusalem for the Passover. It’s
uphill, dusty and even for hardened travellers, it’s a bit of a slog. Once they
reach the suburbs with just a couple of miles to go, Jesus sends two of the
disciples to find a colt that has never been ridden; akin to a virgin offering,
something symbolically pure and perfect for a king. Roman soldiers would often
commandeer beasts, and so could kings. Zechariah 9:9 is being fulfilled: Rejoice
greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king
comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
There’s a tension between royalty and humility, but the
crowd sees only what it wants to see; a king, powerful and mighty, coming to
save them from oppression. They throw their cloaks on the dirty road and wave
branches (not just palms but reeds and foliage) in his honour. The time for joy
hasn’t come. Not yet.
The voice of the donkey
“It’s strange how the day unfolded. Two men came and
carefully untied me, and explained to my owner that I was needed. I’ve hardly
left my mother’s side, but I felt strangely calm as I was led away. Picking my
way down the hill, I saw a man unlike any other. He had the kindest eyes, and
he slipped so lightly onto my back. People threw their best cloaks onto the
ground as we walked, and I scuffed them in the dirt. Precious fabrics, ground
into the dust, because of the man I carried. They waved branches, and they
shouted and sang and yet they didn’t startle or frighten me… with this man I
felt safe. We walked on and on, the crowds shouting ‘Hosanna, hosanna’, part of
a song I hadn’t heard before. They seemed full of joy and hope! And yet I could
sense a deep sadness, an ache in the man’s heart. I bore more than the weight
of this man, and I wonder what he himself was carrying.”
Cloaks were precious to their owners, symbols of status
as well as garments for warmth and protection. Throwing them on the ground
before Jesus was an act of worship. Look around your house for your most
treasured item. What would it take for you to give it away as an act of
worship?
Prayer
Lord, you rode straight into the power of the enemy to suffer and die; give us the strength to follow you to the centres of oppression in this world, and the confidence which confronts power with love. Amen
Reflection by Dally Prendergast
Now to the gate of my Jerusalem,
The
seething holy city of my heart,
The
saviour comes. But will I welcome him?
Oh
crowds of easy feelings make a start;
They
raise their hands, get caught up in the singing,
And
think the battle won. Too soon they’ll find
The
challenge, the reversal he is bringing
Changes
their tune. I know what lies behind
The
surface flourish that so quickly fades;
Self-interest,
and fearful guardedness,
The
hardness of the heart, its barricades,
And
at the core, the dreadful emptiness
Of
a perverted temple. Jesus come
Break
my resistance and make me your home. Malcolm Guite
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