PALM SUNDAY
28 March 2010

The Liturgy of Palm Sunday doesn't admit of a long sermon – the Palm Ceremonies lengthen the beginning of the service, and the Passion Gospel is also long. But it would be a mistake to leave things out to make way for a longer sermon, because the whole point of the liturgy as it is structured is to remind us of our double nature.

For we are people of mixed motives and inconsistent intentions. We aim for the best. We want to follow Jesus, to show his life in our lives But we stumble and fall, denying him by our selfishness, impatience and indifference to others. Like the crowds in Jerusalem we turn from shouting "Hosanna" one moment to "Crucify" the next.

If we did that to anyone else, we all know what would happen. Sooner or later they would get fed up, abandoning us. But not Jesus. Despite taking the abuse of the crowds, the soldiers, the priests, even one of those crucified with him, he does not abandon those around him. On the way to the cross he take time to speak to the weeping women who follow him. As the soldiers nail him to the cross he prays for their forgiveness. He pardons the second thief who turns to him in penitence. Jesus never gives up on us. When he looks us at he hears "Hosanna" even when we cry "Crucify".

And that is what we are called to do. Following Jesus means trying to be like him in his love, his compassion, his generous forgiveness. May we grow in that love, compassion, and generous forgiveness ourselves as we follow him throughout this week; and know his love, compassion, and generous forgiveness towards us.

Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards the human race sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.