Palm Sunday

I remember as I was growing up, how I always felt Palm Sunday was such a celebration. We were given palms and got to share in the joy of all the people as Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem. The people laid down palm branches and cloaks in front of Jesus as a means to pay him homage and they shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Mark 11:1-11

But today is also called Passion Sunday, and in the same mass we remember that only a little while later those same crowds that jubilantly welcomed him were then crying “crucify him” at the urging of their leaders. Mark 15:1-15

There are a lot of ways to analyze this and many of us have heard our Priests or Pastor’s speak about this with far more experience and authority. However, I’m struck by how very fickle the people were then and how very fickle we are today. One minute we’ll be totally committed to a principle or idea, the next minute popular opinion turns and the commitment fades into memory.

Since it really is easy to get caught up in the currents of public opinion and popular trends, we have three choices: 1 Go with the flow and try not to stand out in order to avoid criticism. 2 Be aware so that we don’t get caught being swept away in the wrong direction. 3 Try to influence the direction of the current; sometimes a few small sand bags can hold back a flood.

As we begin Holy week and approach Easter, I hope that all Christians can live faithfully enough to redirect a culture that so often seems to be moving in the wrong direction.