Here’s a thoughtful reflection on the triumphal entry, written by Rev. E. Crumlish.
Hold on to the Hosannas
(inspired by the events in Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11,
Luke 19:29-44, John 12:12-19)
Let us stay with the Hosannas for a while
Let us let them keep on ringing in our ears
Hosanna!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord
Instead of rushing on to hear the cries
that came later in the week
Let us stay with the Hosannas
Maybe once we have heard those
in a new way
we will be ready
to make the rest of the journey
A journey that was hastened
and given new purpose
by those Hosannas
For those Hosannas were not
simply the innocent cries
of palm branch waving children
Those Hosannas were the war cries of adults
tired of the oppression
of occupying forces
Those hosannas
were the hopeful cries
of a nation seeking liberation.
Those Hosannas
were an investment of hope
in one they thought would deliver.
Those Hosannas
that we have sanitized over the years
rang out in clear insurrection
sealing the fate
of one who rode on a donkey.
so, let us stay with the Hosannas
Let us wrest them from the lips of children
and allow them to ring in our ears
and spew from our mouths
as a call to action
a call to justice
a call to love.
Let us stay with the Hosannas
even as we journey
with the Christ
who carried those Hosannas
all the way to the cross
and ensured their fulfillment
as the justice and love of God.
Let us stay with the Hosannas.
— written by Rev. E. Crumlish of Castlehill Church, Ayr. Posted on the Church of Scotland’s excellent Starters for Sunday website.
For more worship resources for Palm Sunday, click on Palm Sunday in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.