PALM SUNDAY
Sunday, April 10
“The palm branches we bless today symbolize the welcome Jesus received as he entered Jerusalem. In riding upon a colt newly pressed into service with people spreading their cloaks on the road before him, Jesus entered the city as the messianic king. Though he was not the Messiah they expected, the victory he went on to win on the cross over sin and death made him a king for all humanity, for all ages. May the palms we raise today be symbols of the praise we give our Savior as he begins the days of his passion, death, and resurrection. “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.” SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Spring 2022
Luke 19:28-40
Jesus proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem. As he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples. He said, “Go into the village opposite you, and as you enter it you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. And if anyone should ask you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you will answer, ‘The Master has need of it.’” So those who had been sent went off and found everything just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying this colt?” They answered, “The Master has need of it.” So they brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks over the colt, and helped Jesus to mount. 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.”
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He said in reply, “I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!”
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Isaiah 42:1-7; John 12:1-11
Tuesday Isaiah 49:1-6; John 13:21-33, 36-38
Wednesday Isaiah 50:4-9a; Matthew 26:14-25
Thursday Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-15
Friday Isaiah 52:13−53:12; Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9; John 18:1−19:42
Saturday Genesis 1:1−2:2; Genesis 22:1-18;
Exodus 14:15−15:1; Isaiah 54:5-14;
Isaiah 55:1-11; Baruch 3:9-15, 32−4:4;
Ezekiel 36:16-17a, 18-28; Romans 6:3-11;
Luke 24:1-12