Day 373 | Saturday, 27 March 2021

Day 373 - Audio Version

---

Day 373 | Saturday, 27 March 2021

 The weather of this past week has really made things pop open in a wonderful Spring fashion.  Around our home we have mini daffodils in full bloom, snow drops which have been opened for over a week, hyacinths, our Lenten Rose is open and crocus are popping up in the front yard.   The maple trees in the back and fully budded.  Robins are around the yards and the Red Winged Black Birds are singing to one another.  Other varieties of birds frequent our feeders as does our neighborhood squirrel.  The pesky flock of starlings makes frequent stops as well.

 Spring is always a welcome season as we watch the earth come back to life.  As I am appreciating the joy of seeing the spring flowers around the house on this day before Palm Sunday, I am reminded that Palm Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week.  Holy Week is a week of darkness for we Christians.  I intend to take us through the week, a week of passion, by paying attention to what was going on in Jesus’ ministry and life.  All too often, worshipers go from the celebration of Palm Sunday to the Joy of Easter Sunday without taking time to focus on the events of the week.

 Let me spread the Palm Sunday event out to a couple days by sharing the scripture from John 12:12-15 today from the Message.

12 The next day the huge crowd that had arrived for the Feast heard that Jesus was entering Jerusalem. 13 They broke off palm branches and went out to meet him. And they cheered: Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in God's name! Yes! The King of Israel! 14 Jesus got a young donkey and rode it, just as the Scripture has it: 15 No fear, Daughter Zion: See how your king comes, riding a donkey's colt.

 One of the Palm Sunday Hymns is “All Glory, Laud and Honor” words: Theodulph of Orleans 8-9th century; trans. By John Mason Neale, 1851.

 REFRAIN:  All glory, laud, and honor, to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.

Thou art the King of Israel, thou David's royal Son,
who in the Lord's name comest, the King and Blessed One.
All glory, laud, and honor, to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.

The company of angels are praising Thee on high,
and we with all creation in chorus make reply.
All glory, laud, and honor, to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.

The people of the Hebrews with palms before Thee went;
our prayers and praise and anthems before Thee we present.
All glory, laud, and honor, to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.

To Thee, before thy passion, they sang their hymns of praise;
to thee, now high exalted, our melody we raise.
All glory, laud, and honor, to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.

Thou didst accept their praises; accept the prayers we bring,
who in all good de-light-est, thou good and gracious King. 
All glory, laud, and honor, to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
​
Almighty God, as we prepare ourselves for the observance of Palm Sunday, guide our thoughts and prayers towards obedience to your will for us at this time in our lives.  We come to this Holy Season appreciating the new life we witness in the earth.  We give thanks for the colors of spring flowers and the joy with which our hearts are filled.  Help us pause to reflect on the journey Jesus will make during this week.  Lord, Hear our prayers.  Amen.