Palm Sunday. Passion Sunday. We go from the "high" of welcoming the king on his donkey with shouts and palm waving to the "low" of the wrenching prayer in the garden and the arrest and trial and then shocking death of crucifixion- all within the space of one hour. What a wonderful time of walking with the congregation and the children, waving palms, singing, and shouting hosannas! I love watching the children as they realize that they are allowed to shout in church. Then, we begin to hear scripture read about how Jesus was betrayed, then arrested. We hear about his trial and his conversation with Pilate. We sing a somber song. We hear the words that condemn him to the cross. The church is stripped of all the beautiful colors and fabrics. We leave a bare church- a silent congregation. The children are shushed and we walk out, our eyes lowered so that we won't be tempted to speak.
Lord, bless us this Holy Week so that we may open ourselves in the silence to accept your word. Amen.
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