Humbly journeying the way of peace - thoughts for Palm Sunday

This week like every Palm Sunday we are invited to journey with Jesus down the Kidron Valley and into the ambivalent Passover crowds of Jerusalem, on through the maze of streets and events until we reach Golgotha and the cross. We are invited to notice how we respond as we enter this week and how this story helps us see our world differently and to live compassionately.

It begins with a small crowd from the country waving branches (no palms in Matthew) on the Monday (Matthew is just playing with us now) before Passover. They are welcoming their “king” who rode a donkey into the city. They cry Hosanna!! Each Sunday, we join them crying Hosanna as we gather around the Eucharistic table. What is it we cry? Hosanna is both our plea for God to save, and a shout of praise and exaltation. As we join that procession what is it we long to be saved from? And for what do we give thanks and praise?

This king is unlike most other kings. He does not enter Jerusalem like Pilate or Herod Antipas, on a war horse surrounded by cavalry and infantry, coming to oversee this troublesome festival, with crowds brought out to proclaim their entry. Jesus rides a donkey (and a colt - quite the trick) both a pack animal and a royal animal ridden in times of peace; re-enacting Zechariah’s words and what other great kings like Solomon had done. This is a peace parade, timed for Passover, the ancient festival celebrating God’s act of bringing Israel out of slavery from a foreign empire. Outside the city the crowd respond singing the Passover psalms which proclaim God’s liberation of these enslaved people. This king, Jesus, has come to redefine royal power – found not in violent grandeur but on a cross, bringing God’s healing and compassion to all.How hard it is to join this way of peace today.

Jesus comes in humility. But as his small group enter the city with its crush they are met with confusion and scorn. How do we respond to Jesus’ way of peace this Holy Week and Easter?