95/365 Palm Sunday

I went to a new church today, more on that tomorrow. 

Today I wanted to focus on the day. It's Palm Sunday - the day that most Christians celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem for the last week of His life. Here's what the scriptures say:

Mark 11:1-11

When they were nearing Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany on Mount Olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions: "Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you'll find a colt tethered, one that has never yet been ridden. Untie it and bring it. If anyone asks, 'What are you doing?' say, 'The Master needs him, and will return him right away.'"

They went and found a colt tied to a door at the street corner and untied it. Some of those standing there said, "What are you doing untying that colt?" The disciples replied exactly as Jesus had instructed them, and the people let them alone. They brought the colt to Jesus, spread their coats on it, and he mounted.

The people gave him a wonderful welcome, some throwing their coats on the street, others spreading out rushes they had cut in the fields. Running ahead and following after, they were calling out, 

   Hosanna! 

   Blessed is he who comes in God's name! 

   Blessed the coming kingdom of our father David! 

   Hosanna in highest heaven!

He entered Jerusalem, then entered the Temple. He looked around, taking it all in. But by now it was late, so he went back to Bethany with the Twelve.

As a child, I knew that Palm Sunday normally meant a few things. 

1. Spring break was near!
   
2. Easter was a week away.
   
3. My mom was going to make me wear a new dress.
   
4. People wore palms crosses on their clothes. 
   

As an adult, spring break is no longer a luxury, Easter is still a week away, my mom gave up buying clothes many years ago (though she and I did enjoy shopping for my wedding dress together) and people still wear palm crosses on their clothes. But more and more, those are older people and I see them growing fewer in number. 

Palm Sunday also gives me a time to reflect. It's a time to prepare for Easter. Not just spiritually, but emotionally. It's a VERY hard time to go through. It's full of loss and grieving for what used to be. Having worked in a church for so many years, it's so strange to not be knee deep in plans and preparations right now. 

I just try to take it one day at a time.