Welcome to St. Michael’s Episcopal Church.
Today’s liturgy is in two parts. The Liturgy of the Palms celebrates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem at the beginning of the week of his Passion. After we hear Matthew’s account of that event, the celebrant gives thanks over the branches which we carry. In many congregations a procession with branches then moves into the church building, with festive songs of “Hosanna in the highest!” as we enact the event which led directly to Good Friday.
The second part of today’s liturgy changes from triumph to tragedy as it focuses on the suffering and death of Jesus. The account of the Lord’s Passion is read from Matthew’s Gospel, so that we may have a fuller sense of sharing with him in his redemptive acts of dying and rising for our salvation.
Today we enter into the celebration of the mighty acts of God which brought about our redemption. During this week, we will rediscover what God has done for us, rediscover the meaning of our Baptism, rediscover the meaning of our sharing in the Eucharist.
The Old Testament reading from Isaiah is set in the heavenly court, where God summons all people. God’s action in saving Israel from its exile is the sign of God’s mighty power to save. God is the savior of the world. All the world will turn to God. The paradox is that it is in the scandalous death of Jesus on the cross that God is revealed as our Savior.
This passage provided the images of the early Christian hymn which Paul uses in today’s second reading, announcing that Jesus’ lordship is revealed not in the power of his divinity, but in self-giving love to the point of dying for us, his beloved. This is the ultimate restoration from exile brought about by Jesus.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 1998 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.
From Liturgy of the Palms:
When Jesus and his disciples had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, “Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.” Matthew 21:1-11
The Collect of the Day
Celebrant Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The First Reading Philippians 2:5-11
Reader A Reading from Philippians.
Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus:
Though he was in the form of God,
he did not consider being equal with God something to exploit.
But he emptied himself
by taking the form of a slave
and by becoming like human beings.
When he found himself in the form of a human,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Therefore, God highly honored him
and gave him a name above all names,
so that at the name of Jesus everyone
in heaven, on earth, and under the earth might bow
and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Reader Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
All Thanks be to God
The Passion Gospel Matthew 26:14 – 27:66
Narrator The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
One of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said,
Judas What will you give me if I betray Jesus to you?
Narrator The priests paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment Judas began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus. On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples come to Jesus, saying,
Peter Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?
Narrator Jesus said,
Jesus Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, “The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.”
Narrator So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal. When it was evening, Jesus took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said,
Jesus Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.
Narrator And the disciples became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another,
Peter Surely not I, Lord?
Narrator He answered,
Jesus The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.
Narrator Judas, who betrayed him, said,
Judas Surely not I, Rabbi?
Jesus You have said so.
Narrator While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said,
Jesus Take, eat; this is my body.
Narrator Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying
Jesus Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.
Narrator When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to his disciples,
Jesus You will become deserters because of me this night; for it is written, “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered,” But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.
Narrator Peter said to him,
Peter Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you.
Narrator Jesus said to him,
Jesus Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.
Narrator Peter said to him,
Peter Even thought I must die with you, I will not deny you.
Narrator And so said all the disciples.
So Jesus went with the disciples to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to them,
Jesus “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
Narrator He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them,
Jesus “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.”
Narrator And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed,
Jesus “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.”
Narrator Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter,
Jesus “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Narrator Again he went away for the second time and prayed,
Jesus “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”
Narrator Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said to them,
Jesus “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.”
Narrator While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying,
Judas “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.”
Narrator At once he came up to Jesus and said,
Judas “Greetings, Rabbi!”
Narrator and kissed him. Jesus said to him,
Jesus “Friend, do what you are here to do.”
Narrator Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him,
Jesus “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?”
Narrator At that hour Jesus said to the crowds,
Jesus “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.”
Narrator Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered. But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end. Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said,
Congregation “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ “
Narrator The high priest stood up and said,
High Priest “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?”
Narrator But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him,
High Priest “I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
Narrator Jesus said to him,
Jesus “You have said so. But I tell you, From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Narrator Then the high priest tore his clothes and said,
High Priest “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?”
Narrator They answered,
Congregation “He deserves death.”
Narrator Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, saying,
Congregation “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?”
Narrator Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said,
1st Servant “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.”
Narrator But he denied it before all of them, saying,
Peter “You do not know what you are talking about.”
Narrator When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders,
2nd Servant “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
Narrator Again he denied it with an oath,
Peter I do not know the man.”
Narrator After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter,
Congregation “Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.”
Narrator Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath,
Peter I do not know the man!”
Narrator At that moment the cock crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said:
Jesus “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.”
Narrator And he went out and wept bitterly. When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus in order to bring about his death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor. When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. He said,
Judas “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.”
Narrator But they said,
Congregation “What is that to us? See to it yourself.”
Narrator Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said,
Congregation “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money.”
Narrator After conferring together, they used them to buy the potter’s field as a place to bury foreigners. For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one on whom a price had been set, on whom some of the people of Israel had set a price, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.” Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him,
Pilate “Are you the King of the Jews?”
Narrator Jesus said,
Jesus “You say so.”
Narrator But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. Then Pilate said to him,
Pilate “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?”
Narrator But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them,
Pilate “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”
Narrator For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him,
Pilate’s Wife “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.”
Narrator Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor again said to them,
Pilate “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?”
Narrator And they said,
Congregation “Barabbas.”
Narrator Pilate said to them,
Pilate “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”
Narrator All of them said,
Congregation “Let him be crucified!”
Narrator Then he asked,
Pilate “Why, what evil has he done?”
Narrator But they shouted all the more,
Congregation “Let him be crucified!”
Narrator So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying,
Pilate “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.”
Narrator Then the people as a whole answered,
Congregation “His blood be on us and on our children!”
Narrator So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying,
Congregation “Hail, King of the Jews!”
Narrator They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross.
All Stand
Narrator And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; then they sat down there and kept watch over him. Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying,
Congregation “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
Narrator In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying,
Congregation “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’”
Narrator The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way. From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice,
Jesus “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”
Narrator that is,
Jesus “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Narrator When some of the bystanders heard it, they said,
Congregation “This man is calling for Elijah.”
Narrator At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. But the others said,
Congregation “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.”
Narrator Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last.
Silence
Narrator At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said,
Congregation “Truly this man was God’s Son!”
Narrator Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said,
Congregation “Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception would be worse than the first.”
Narrator Pilate said to them,
Pilate “You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.”
Narrator So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.
The Homily – The Rev. Ed Wills, Jr.
Passover. They were there for Passover. Thousands of occupied, subjugated, economically enslaved peoples. They were in the city for their annual celebration of freedom. Freedom they had only heard about when God led their forebears, a band of disgruntled, impotent slaves through the Red Sea into freedom.
It was an annual celebration of freedom for people not free. The risk was too great for the Roman governor and occupier. So, every year on the first day of their Passover, Freedom Festival Pontius Pilate would process into Jerusalem with a column of Roman soldiers in full military regalia. He would enter the city through the West gate having travel from his western coastal capital.
His point was clear: “This festival you celebrate is nothing more than a fairy tale. And, even if your God once delivered you from Egypt, this God is no match for Rome. You are trapped. Enslaved. Nothing will change. It was so yesterday. It is true today. And it will be this way forever.”
It is in direct contrast that on this same first day of Passover Jesus forms and alternative procession from the East from Mount Olive into the city.
Look, your Sovereign is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
The people who chose to follow this alternate possession respond with one of their liberation Psalms:
Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!
Hosanna in Hebrew is “O save us.” Jesus’ alternative possession gives voice to a downtrodden and trapped people. And in their grief they cry: “O save us.” “This is not the way things were. It is not how they are supposed to be. And it is not how they will be.”
Hosanna Lord give us now success.
The first step to freedom, to new life is admitting that things are not what they are supposed to be and crying out “O save us.” “Hosanna.”
It is in his alternative procession, in his passion, death and resurrection that Jesus embodies and gives eternal voice to the very real grief and suffering of the people. Passion (i.e. grief and suffering) is the only road to resurrected new life.
Two processions. Two Gates. Two Narratives.
One says: “This is it. It is all there is. Cave in. Fall in line. Give up. Submit.”
The other gives voice to our very real grief and suffering, to our passion, to the truth we know in our bones: “That this is not the way it is meant to be.”
Hosanna, Lord. O save us.
Your kingdom come on Earth as in Heaven.
Holy week, as does every week and day, presents us with a choice. Like those fearful, trapped, economically enslaved peoples all those years ago, we can look West and follow the procession of oppression, might and gaslighting.
Or we can look East and adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus who became for us our passion, and who through our very real suffering and grief will lead us to freedom, life and peace.
In God’s name. Amen.
The Prayers of the People
The Leader and People pray responsively
O God, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;
That we all may be one.
Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;
That your Name may be glorified by all people.
We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.
We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;
That there may be justice and peace on the earth.
Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;
That our works may find favor in your sight.
Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;
That they may be delivered from their distress.
Give to the departed eternal rest;
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.
Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.
FOR those who are sick or are in special need, Doris, Jay, Tim, Cathy, Vera, Mary Evelyn, Jim, David, Ann, Rod, Katie, Jay and Natalie Are there others? [The people add their own prayers either silently or aloud.].
FOR THE BIRTH OF: Ian Wilson Riley
FOR THE BIRTHDAYS OF: Jaime Alverson, 7; Jamie Morrison, 7; Elena Reyes-Lovins, 11
FOR all who have died in the hope of the resurrection [especially ]
<Say this section only if someone has put a name on the line below. >
[and _______________ _____________________________, the victim(s) of
violence in our city this past week.]
You may add your own prayers and thanksgiving in the Comments Section below.
Sunday Giving is Here.
You may add your own Offerings in the Comments Section below.
What did I hear? What got my attention?
What one word or phrase or image stands out to me?
Why did I hear what I heard?
What is going on in my life that might have focused my awareness?
How is God (Life, Truth, Wholeness, etc.) present in my awareness?
You may share your responses in the Comments section below.
One thought on “Palm Sunday – April 5”
Howard Tate, a victim of violence in our community this past week
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