Blessing of Palms, Procession, and Sung Eucharist
1 April 2012 at 11:15 am
Today the Church remembers Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. Six days later he was to be betrayed and to die. In this liturgy we find the mix of joy at his triumphal arrival and distress at what was to come. This is annunciated in the Procession and in the Passion Gospel.
The Procession is the first action of Holy Week. We carry palms in procession to remind us of the first Palm Sunday. We sing the praises of Christ the King who will reign on the cross. We join with him, ready to take up our cross and follow, as we walk with him to suffering and death. We also recall that those who cry ‘Hosanna’ today may shout ‘Crucify’ on Good Friday.
The Passion Gospel introduces us to Holy Week. The week’s services are shaped by the story of the events of the last week of Jesus’ earthly life. But they are also a reflective celebration of the victory over sin and death that he won for all humankind.