Lenten Reflections: The Fifth Sunday of Lent: Palm Sunday

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

Holy Week begins with celebration! I can’t help but remember the Palm Sunday scene in “Jesus Christ, Superstar” where Jesus sings, “Nothing can be done to stop the shouting. If every tongue was still the noise would still continue. The rocks and stones themselves would start to sing.” My heart lifts with the thought! All creation joining in the song! Praises to the Son of God! Lent is almost over! Here is Palm Sunday, with the long reading that begins with waving branches and ends with the stone being sealed on the tomb where Jesus lay.

What a contrast! To be reminded of Christ’s divinity and humanity in one fell swoop. To be given the kingdom and the grave as prelude to heart of our faith. To know that there is both joy and sorrow as we walk through our lives on earth, with the glory of Easter to expect, the glory of heaven to anticipate.

Am I ready? How have I prepared for the glory and sorrow of these days? Will the palms that we wave today be remembered in the ashes of Lent next year? Have the days of Lent made me open to the gift of the cross and the resurrection?

Hosanna in the highest!