As he rode along,
the people were spreading their cloaks on the road;
and now as he was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives,
the whole multitude of his disciples
began to praise God aloud with joy
for all the mighty deeds they had seen.
They proclaimed:
"Blessed is the king who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven
and glory in the highest."
Luke 19:28-40
I imagine Jesus’ arrival in my town in 2025. Crowds are waving signs and banners. Would I be there? Would I be hopeful or cynical? Would curiosity push me closer to the road? Would I call out his name? What praise would I echo? What words of desire and anger and longing would I utter? What words would go on my own sign?
Contemplating that exuberant day many years ago, I wonder. Would I recognize Jesus? Would I have joined the crowds singing at His arrival? Would I have believed? I believe that the psalms sung and prayed by my ancestors give me the words for prayer and praise. Justice! Peace! Help! Change! Save us! Mercy! Freedom! Deliverance!
This Palm Sunday, choose a word or two for the praise and prayer you cry out as you welcome the one is coming, always coming to save us. Join the crowd that calls out with many voices, many words. Welcome hope.
With you in the crowd,
Susan Schantz SSJ
