Hosanna!
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!
 -- Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!
 -- See, your king [a] comes to you,
 -- righteous and having salvation,
 -- gentle and riding on a donkey,
 -- on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
      Zechariah 9:9 (NIV)
 

As Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a lowly donkey, he brought a hope for salvation to a nation crushed by military might. A weary people expected a powerful savior, perched on a mighty stallion, and armed with mighty weapons. They were prepared to welcome an impressive king, resplendent in shining robes, prepared to vanquish their oppressors with supernatural powers and arms.

Yet, a carpenter's son entered Jerusalem, perched upon a donkey, one of the humblest creatures in existence. Jesus had recently raised Lazarus from the dead, and fed the hungry. He offered hope and relief to the sick and the maimed, and a return to the glory of the Kingdom of David. He was greeted with hosannas, and branches were laid before him in homage.

Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!"    John 12:17-19 (NIV)

Sometimes, the least expected become the greatest gifts of life. An unassuming leader, cloaked in righteousness, preaching love for God and each other led one procession into Jerusalem; Pontius Pilate, draped in the temporal strength of the Roman Empire, marched with another.

The adoring crowd soon became fickle, and chose to support the representatives of earthly power. Perhaps they didn't realize the gravity of their choice, or each felt relief that the force of Rome would not turn on him, at least not at that moment. There are always mobs, and always a representative of Rome, though he may bear a different name. We can either opt to march with the tyrant, or decide to join another procession.

O Lord our God, enthroned upon the Cherubim, we ask that You, 0h Master, bless these palm branches, and protect and preserve us who carry in our hands the branches of the palm trees on this sacred day and that we, as those people and children offering their "Hosanna..!" (praise or gratefulness) likewise, may attain Christ's life-giving resurrection together with Your all holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit, now and forever. Amen...

Contributed by Carol
Sunday March 28, 2010
Liturgical Year C Week 18
Sunday Gospel reading: Palm Sunday