PALM SUNDAY IS THE FINAL SUNDAY OF LENT, BEGINS HOLY WEEK, AND CELEBRATES THE TRIUMPHANT ARRIVAL OF CHRIST IN JERUSALEM, DAYS BEFORE HE WAS CRUCIFIED.
Today we remember and honor the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem. As the crowds rejoiced at the coming of the Son of David, and waved palm fronds in exultation; so do we.
If you do not have a palm frond for this service, why then, place your loving heart down before the Lord, the King, in respect.
GREETING
Priest; 'Hosanna to the Son of David, the King of Israel!'
Congregation; 'Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest!'
CALL TO WORSHIP
Priest; 'The Lord be with you'
Congregation; 'And also with you.'
Together; 'This day Jesus entered the holy city of Jerusalem, and was proclaimed King
by those who spread their garments and palm branches along His way.'
ENTRANCE HYMN
Hosanna to the Son of David,
O blest is He, O blest is He
Who comes in the Name of the Lord!
Rejoice, daughters of Zion,
In the One Who brings great joy
Sing praise, children of Judah
for the Lord is close at hand.
Hosanna to the Son of David,
O blest is He, O blest is He
Who comes in the Name of the Lord!
Rejoice, all who are thirsty
For the streams of living joy!
Sing praise, children of Judah
for the Lord is close at hand.
Hosanna to the Son of David,
O blest is He, O blest is He
Who comes in the Name of the Lord!
Rejoice, all who are longing
To behold the Face of God!
Sing praise, children of Judah
For the Lord is close at hand.
Hosanna to the Son of David,
O blest is He, O blest is He
Who comes in the Name of the Lord!
Reading
Luke Chapter 19, verses 28 to 48
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”
32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”
34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.”
35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.
37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
Jesus at the Temple
45 When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. 46 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
47 Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. 48 Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.
WORDS OF COMFORT
"Jesus rode over cloaks and palms to the stone walls of Jerusalem. He breached the gate, and entered the Temple.
There, in God's house, he made the point that purity of worship is within the heart, the soul, the mind - not in financial bartering and transaction.
We cannot buy holiness - even with the very best of intentions.
There is no doubt that there were good people within Jerusalem. More than likely, many of those
selling within the Temple were themselves ordinary people, doing what is needed to make a living, to survive.
Yet Jesus needed to make the point that we don't need an intermediary between ourselves and God.
We can come directly to God, as He has broken down the wall between us.
We can confess shyly within our God's embrace, as Jesus has renewed the bond between our Heavenly Father and ourselves.
We can tell God our every thought, cry every tear, laugh every joy, and ask every question.
Jesus came to restore our relationship, and to heal us of our inmost need to balance what is sacred in terms of money.
Jesus came to set us free.
What is holding you back today? What tether keeps you to the ground, holding you back from flying free within your spirit? Is it financial worry, stresses and strains? Is it unbearable debt? Is is addiction? Is it bad temper? Is it anger against God? Is it addiction to multiple relationships without commitment or true love for the other? Is it a past, grievous sin?
Whatever holds you back, know that Jesus has beaten the moneylenders from your door. He has freed you from the need to face that unpayable spiritual debt that stared humanity in the face.
Rejoice in the joy of the Lord, wave your palm, and rest in God's embrace.
We are redeemed!"
PRAYER
Priest; 'Almighty and everliving God, in Your tender love for the human race You sent Your Son, our beloved Jesus Christ to take upon Himself our nature, and to suffer death on the cross. He showed us true holiness within His Life, true humility in His acceptance of the cup of suffering.
Most of all, Jesus showed us the heart of God's love. He killed no one. He undertook no violence. He spoke of love, taught forgiveness, healed. As He was dying in agony on the cross, He prayed forgiveness for his executioners. Tradition tells us that as the soldier Longinus speared Christ's side, the water and blood which came forth struck him in the eyes. Longinus had been going blind for some time, and he was instantly healed. He cried out 'Truly this man was the Son of God!'
Such courage Jesus showed. Such inspiration for our lives. Such love, forgiveness, mercy and beauty. Help us, Lord, each in our own way, to reflect the Son of David within our lives. Amen.'
Congregation; 'We rejoice in the Messiah, the Son of David. Hosanna!'
Priest; 'We pray for all who have died, all who suffer, all who are lonely.'
Congregation; 'We pray for our brothers and sisters, Lord. Visit us in our need.'
HOLY EUCHARIST
Priest; 'As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed and broke it. He gave it to His disciples, saying; "Take, all of you, and eat. This is My Body, which is broken for you." '
Congregation; 'Lord Jesus, You are the Bread of Life.'
Priest; 'At the end of supper, Jesus took the cup. He gave thanks, and gave it to His disciples, saying; "Take, all of you, and drink; this is My Blood of the new covenant, Which is shed for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of Me." '
Congregation; 'Lord Jesus, you are the cup of life, the wine blessed for our salvation.'
[Receive communion. If you are unable to attend Holy Mass, receive Jesus spiritually within your heart and soul now. Spend some time in prayer].
LORD'S PRAYER
Priest; 'Let us now pray the Lord's prayer in the words Jesus gave us,'
Priest and Congregation;
'Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy Will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day
Our daily bread,
And forgive us our sins,
As we forgive those who sin against us,
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever, Amen.'
PRAYER
Priest; 'Heavenly Father, we praise and thank You for sending us Your only Son, Jesus Christ. We rejoice in the coming of our Messiah to Jerusalem. Help us to reflect the power of discipleship in our daily lives. Help us to become like the Son of David, kindly in our hearts, pure in our lives, devoted in our worship and heart. Amen.'
Congregation; 'Amen.'
Priest; 'And may the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you now and forever,'
Congregation; 'Amen'.
FINAL HYMN
DULCIS CHRISTE
Latin text
Dulcis Christe, o bone Deus,
O amor meus, o vita mea,
O salus mea, o gloria mea
Tu es Creator, Tu es Salvator mundi.
Te volo, Te quaero,
Te adoro, o dulcis Amor
Te adoro, o care Jesu.
English translation
O sweet Christ, O gracious God
O my love, O my life,
O my salvation, O my glory,
You are Creator, You are Saviour of the world.
I yearn for You, I need You,
I adore You, O sweet Love,
I adore You, O dear Jesus.
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