We know the stories by heart and we order our patterns by the sacred calendar. It’s Palm Sunday and we should be gathering in a sanctuary adorned with palms. The opening hymn should be All Glory Laud and Honor, with trumpet sounding. Those of us who normally arrive early for worship at the Blue Church would see the annual palm procession of Mexican worshippers in their parade through the streets of El Centro. Our worship would begin with the recitation of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a colt and would proceed through the reading of his Passion, from trial through betrayal all the way to the cross.
There is an element of theater to corporate worship. Attention is paid to lighting, music, staging and the like. The energy builds and recedes on cue and our emotions are elicited. We channel our thoughts and feelings through the script. The orchestration of worship is intentional, meant to reinforce beliefs and strengthen faith as well as motivate the congregation to live after the example of Christ throughout the week. Oh, how I miss that! We are still safe at home though, for a second Holy Week, eagerly awaiting vaccines and the herd immunity that will allow us to gather again.
So, this year, I invite you to spend some time reading the narrative for yourself. As you read, let the drama of Holy Week live in you. Hosanna!
Click on the link below to read the Passion Narrative from Mark’s gospel:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+14-15&version=NRSV