Rev Judith Cooke
One of the church traditions is giving children palm fronds in church on Palm Sunday. I remember way back to my own childhood, marching through the sanctuary waving the palm as the church sang All Glory, Laud, and Honor. Another yearly tradition involves the children using their palms to poke and prod one another, or to use them as swords or light sabers.
This behavior is actually somewhat appropriate for Palm Sunday. Christ enters Jerusalem to cheering crowds and waving branches, but the crowd is temperamental. Very quickly, their excitement surges into loud praise and cheers; a few days later, their voices will raise just as fast, but this time to shout “crucify him.” The hard part of Palm Sunday is that we know what happens next. We know that the path to the empty tomb goes through the cross.
In our own lives, we see this difficult dynamic as well. When we look ahead to something we want for our future, often it involves going through a difficult time to get there.
The good news of Palm Sunday is that as we move to a future God intends for us, God will guide us through the difficulties and help us endure them.
As you approach Palm Sunday this year, may you hold fast to the promise that God is continually with you and bringing you to a place of meaning, fulfillment, and blessings.
This behavior is actually somewhat appropriate for Palm Sunday. Christ enters Jerusalem to cheering crowds and waving branches, but the crowd is temperamental. Very quickly, their excitement surges into loud praise and cheers; a few days later, their voices will raise just as fast, but this time to shout “crucify him.” The hard part of Palm Sunday is that we know what happens next. We know that the path to the empty tomb goes through the cross.
In our own lives, we see this difficult dynamic as well. When we look ahead to something we want for our future, often it involves going through a difficult time to get there.
- What do you wish for your life?
- To what is God calling you?
- What challenges or obstacles must you overcome to get there?
The good news of Palm Sunday is that as we move to a future God intends for us, God will guide us through the difficulties and help us endure them.
As you approach Palm Sunday this year, may you hold fast to the promise that God is continually with you and bringing you to a place of meaning, fulfillment, and blessings.