[RCL] Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew 26:14- 27:66 or Matthew 27:11-54 Today we celebrate Palm Sunday, the triumphal procession of Christ through the streets of Jerusalem, when the men and women of the city shouted out “Hosannah!” to the Son of David, and laid at his feet… cloaks and branches? Why do we…

[RCL]: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew 26:14- 27:66 or Matthew 27:11-54 In the name of the One who saves. Amen. We might need a deep breath after hearing this epic story. We’ve just heard a long passage narrating days of events that take us from Jesus planning a dinner with his friends, to…

Today we take part in the Gospel story more than on other Sundays. While, there never is an audience in a worship service, that distinction is made clear on Palm Sunday. It may seem that there is no distinction between a congregation and an audience, but there is a vast difference. An audience gathers to…

The crackle of dried palms crunch under the feet of the crowd. The sound is but a faint crackle lost in the din of angry voices. The meaning of the sound is lost on the mob now shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him! CRUCIFY HIM!” That crackle of dried palm branches covered by the shouts of…

Today’s gospel story, at the heart of the Church’s faith, should be at the heart of our faith: that Jesus would live and die for us. That Jesus would say to our heavenly Father, “Thy will be done,” even though his commitment would lead to his death. That Jesus would have compassion on the crowds,…

Let’s turn our attention to one of the minor characters in the Passion story. He remains speechless, and appears in only one verse. Yet this character is one of the closest to Jesus as Jesus walks the road to the place of crucifixion. Here is the single verse that mentions this character: On their way…

[A note: The Prayer Book rubrics (BCP, p. 273) say that if the Liturgy of the Palms precedes the service, the Creed and Confession “may be omitted at this service.” One effective way of approaching this liturgy might be to preach before the reading of The Passion on Palm Sunday-first of all, as a way…

On Palm Sunday a dual theme runs through the readings, the themes of servanthood and glory. One might wonder what one has to do with the other! Yet if these dual themes of servanthood and glory are separated or pitted against one another, the entire mystery of the passion, and in turn the mystery of…