Passion (Palm) Sunday

 Looking across the Kidron Valley toward Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives

           “Let us go together to meet Christ on the Mount of Olives.  Today he returns from Bethany and proceeds of his own free will toward his holy and blessed passion, to consummate the mystery of our salvation.  He who came down from heaven to raise us from the depths of sin, to raise us with himself, we are told in Scripture, above every sovereignty, authority and power, and every other name that can be named, now comes of his own free will to make his journey to Jerusalem.  He comes without pomp or ostentation.  As the psalmist says:  He will not dispute or raise his voice to make it heard in the streets.  He will be meek and humble, and he will make his entry in simplicity.

            Let us run to accompany him as he hastens toward his passion, and imitate those who met him then, not by covering his path with garments, olive branches or palms, but by doing all we can to prostrate ourselves before him by being humble and by trying to live as he would wish.  Then we shall be able to receive the Word at his coming, and God, whom no limits can contain, will be within us.”

From a sermon by Saint Andrew of Crete, bishop

Office of Readings for Passion (Palm) Sunday

Dear Friends:

Let’s take a few moments to meditate on “our meeting” with Christ as described above by Saint Andrew of Crete.  The Gospel passages relating to Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem can be found in Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-10,  John 12:12-16, and Luke 19:28-40.

            We have all seen artistic images of Christ, seated on a rocky outcrop on the Mount of Olives, high above the Kidron Valley, overlooking the city of Jerusalem.  Jesus has been on a journey, accompanied by the disciples, and His triumphant entry into the holy city is about to commence.  In accordance with Divine will, unparalleled events of Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection begin to unfold. 

The Lord calls each of us to prepare for His entry.  Jesus knows that there are many demands on our time and attention, but He asks us to accompany Him to His passion, as well as to His eternal glory. Shall we make time in our busy lives to really focus on our relationship with the Lord?  Please, join me now to listen to Jesus’ words of everlasting life.

Let us pray for and with each other.  May we humbly accompany our Lord Jesus Christ and live according to God’s will.  May we place at the Lord’s service the gifts and talents He has given to us.  May all our actions give praise to God as our hearts cry out, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” 

                                                                                In Christ Jesus,

                                                                                Karen M. Hurley

A rainbow over the Mount of Olives as seen from Jerusalem