Homily for Palm Sunday

Dag Hammarskjöld wrote:
"On Christmas Eve
Good Friday was foretold them
In a trumpet fanfare." 

Despite Hammarskjöld's insight, nothing of our celebration three months ago today prepared us for the narrative just proclaimed. The festivity that marked Jesus' entry into Jerusalem turned quickly to fury. The hosannas and palm branches became the sarcastic 'Hail, King of the Jews' and blows to his head. The community of the Passover Supper dispersed leaving Jesus alone. The cacophony of the parade in Jerusalem devolved into the silence surrounding death. 

Today we begin our own journeys to Jerusalem, journeys that each of us must experience in a unique solitude. 

On Holy Thursday we will recall the institution of the Eucharist, the True Body and Blood of Our Lord. On Good Friday we will silently venerate the cross, the instrument of our salvation. After dark, the odd emptiness of Holy Saturday will finally be filled with light. 

And so we say of the one who came to save us from sin and death, "Blessed is He, who comes in the name of the Lord."