Palm Sunday
It's time for some good news.
When Jesus and his disciples had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, `The Lord needs them.' And he will send them immediately." This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, "Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey." The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!" When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, "Who is this?" The crowds were saying, "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee." - Matthew 21:1-11
We begin today's readings with a positive message, the Messiah has arrived. Everyone is rejoicing. Everyone is celebrating.
We could use a positive message about now, as all the experts are saying we are entering a week unlike any other, where the death toll form COVID-19 will continue to rise and new cases will possibly peak.
It is a shame that on Palm Sunday, we begin with joy and end in sorrow with the reading of The Passion. So, maybe we should just hang out here a while and relish the joy while we can.
I went outside this morning to get the newspaper and each step up to our door was decorated with a purple heart. The family next door was out in the courtyard yesterday and the kids were decorating the sidewalks with chalk, as they have been doing everyday, weather permitting.
They are sharing joy, and it is so welcome.
Maybe that is what we should be doing today, spreading joy. It might just make the unbearable a little less frightening.
More to come...