Readings for April 12-13, Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
By Lyn Zahorik | For On Mission
The first Palm Sunday and our modern-day parades have something in common: people gather together in celebration.
The original Palm Sunday was a procession of joy and hope. People lined the streets of Jerusalem to watch Jesus enter the city, seated on a donkey. It was a moment filled with excitement and anticipation as they waved palm branches and shouted “Hosanna.”
Modern-day parades also feature processions, music, symbolic displays and waving at celebrities. Without a doubt, Jesus was a celebrity as he rode a donkey into Jerusalem, and he remains the central figure in our Palm Sunday celebration.
The success of any parade depends on two essential groups of people: those who organize and participate in the parade and those who come to watch and support it.
Some of Jesus’ disciples assumed the role of organizers as they prepared the “parade float,” also known as the donkey. You may be one of the people at your parish who helps decorate the church and gathering areas or unboxes the palms and prepares them for distribution.
Other disciples of Jesus organized the parade route as they moved people out of the street so Jesus could pass by. Likewise, the celebration of rites this Sunday will be the result of organization.
Greeters will be available to guide you to designated areas for the Gathering Rites. The presider and liturgical assistants will ensure that this annual liturgy moves smoothly. Ushers will also ensure smooth operations and the safety of everyone during the palm procession.
Music also plays an important part in a parade. While there were no marching bands on the first Palm Sunday, there was certainly a cacophony of sound from people’s cheering, accompanied perhaps by banging on drums or the shaking of rattles or tambourines.
That was probably spontaneous, but today your parish music ministers spend a lot of time preparing for Palm Sunday, practicing some music that is only heard on this day and bringing a special and solemn beauty to this, the beginning of Holy Week.
The role most of us will assume on Palm Sunday will be that of the “passionate spectators” as we join together in embracing the same spirit of the crowd that joyfully welcomed Jesus with cries of “Hosanna!”
As the sound of our praise begins to fade as the Palm Sunday procession concludes, a profound spiritual shift will occur in liturgy. We will give our attention to the proclamation of the Passion of Jesus Christ. This is the dual nature of Palm/Passion Sunday and provides us with a powerful reflection on Jesus’ journey from joy to suffering.
This year, immerse yourself in Palm Sunday as a day of both joy and solemnity. Make it the starting point for preparing your heart for the events of Holy Week. Take your place in the “parade,” be it planning for, leading or participating.
We will process. We will wave palms. We will sing. We will pray and create memories.
And just as people have throughout the centuries, we will proclaim, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna to the Son of David!”
Let the day be filled with all the excitement of a parade and all the prayer of Holy Week.
Zahorik is director for spiritual engagement at St. Mary Parish, Omro, and St. Mary Parish, Winneconne.
The readings for Sunday, April 13, can be found at Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion | USCCB