Lent 6 – Palm Sunday
Collects
Philippians 2: 5-11
Mark 14: 1-15: 47
Today’s Palm Sunday reading is not the usual one from Luke’s Gospel describing Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem to the accompaniment of people shouting ‘Hosanna’ and waving palm branches. The reading from Matthew is much darker – and although in retrospect we know that it does describe the first act of a triumphal drama, that victory will not be understood for some days later.
Jesus is under threat – life-threatening conspiracy to kill Him being discussed by the religious hierarchies. Even His disciples are annoyed with Him as He accepts the woman’s act as one of anointing, whereas they see it as a wasteful and over-the-top demonstration of what they regard as hero-worship. One of them is so disturbed that he decides that Jesus must be prevented from demonstrating against the Temple authorities during the Passover Festival. It may even be that Judas sees the betrayal as for Jesus’ own good – we don’t know whether he knew that Jesus would be killed or simply incarcerated until after the celebration was over.
But Jesus is aware of what He will have to endure in order to fulfil His mission of salvation – and He sets the necessary elements in motion. He accepts the woman’s gift for what it is (she may indeed have been Spirit-driven to be aware of the significance of what she was doing). He knows that Judas goes to betray Him unto death. He sends two of His disciples to acquire a room in which He will institute the eucharistic act and give His final teaching. Yes, He will certainly ride into Jerusalem to the accompaniment of cheering crowds, but in the light of the knowledge that those same crowds will call for Bar-Abbas to be released and demand His crucifixion.
But for my sake, and the sake of all those He loves – even those who do not love Him in return – He offers Himself as the final redemptive sacrifice. Hallelujah. What love. What a saviour.
Previous Posts
Praying Together 30th August 2026
Just like those early disciples and apostles there’s an important work to continue. You and I are part of that bunch of followers – ordinary people – let’s keep that in mind – as we reach out to others, each and every day of our lives.
Praying Together 23rd August 2026
Cambridge dictionary definition: ‘Conform’ – to behave according to the usual standards of behaviour that are expected by a group or society.
Praying Together 16th August 2026
We share the shame of both if we fail to address the divisive hatred within our own purportedly Christian ‘tribe’ before condemning others. For Scripture also says Judge not lest ye yourself be judged (Matthew 7:1). Jesus Himself makes it clear that hypocrisy has no place in a Kingdom founded upon love.
Praying Together 9th August 2026
Trusting Jesus and obeying His call takes commitment, it takes faith, it takes the courage to face antagonism, discomfort and sometimes suffering.
Praying Together 26th July 2026
Just cling to the promise that neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord
Pray Together 19th July 2026
We define hope as ‘to want something to happen or to be true, and have a good reason to think that it might’.
Praying Together 12th July 2026
But the real task to which godparents promise is to ensure that the newly-baptised are supported in their Christian growth, by prayer, advice and example.
Praying Together 5th July 2026
We obey His command, but not as slaves – instead, he invites us to be willing servants, alongside the freedom to always ask and reason together with Him as we choose our actions. Therein lies the path to Wisdom, and in God’s Wisdom lies gentleness, humility and rest for our souls.
Praying Together 21st June 2026
‘You are of more value than many sparrows.’
Yes perhaps we are – but that doesn’t mean that sparrows have no value at all.
Praying Together 31st May 2026
Throughout the world, greeting one another with a kiss is a standard way of greeting – once, twice or more (four times in some regions of of France.) In our less demonstrative culture, we perhaps tend to ‘Share the peace’ by means of a nod, wave, handshake a hug or sometimes even a kiss itself in order to respect what we understand as the boundaries of a person’s ‘personal space’.
Praying Together 17th May 2026
‘Somethin’s comin’, don’t know what it is, but it is gonna be great’
Praying Together 10th May 2026
This week I offer a report of our Archbishop John’s Introductory address to this week’s General Synod. It speaks for itself. I wish certain political leaders would read it too.