Palm Sunday | Sunday 13 April 2025

Today is Sunday the 13th of April, Palm Sunday.

Juliano Ravanello sings, Hosanna Filio David: Hosanna, to the Son of David. As you listen on this Palm Sunday, begin to place yourself in the scene with the crowd on the Mount of Olives. Perhaps you watch Jesus approaching the colt as he prepares for his journey into Jerusalem…

Hosanna Filio David
Benedictus qui venit
In nomine Domini
Rex Israel
Hosanna in excelsis
Hosanna to the Son of David
Blessed is He that cometh
In the name of the Lord
King of Israel
Hosanna in the highest




Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 19:28-40

When [Jesus] had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, “Why are you untying it?” just say this: “The Lord needs it.” ’ So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ They said, ‘The Lord needs it.’ Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying,

‘Blessed is the king
who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven,
and glory in the highest heaven!’

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, order your disciples to stop.’ He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.’

If you were to be actively involved in today’s dramatic scene, what would you be doing? Let your creative juices flow! Did you weave the cloak you are throwing over the colt? What colours did you choose?
Are you untying the colt? How does the animal react?
How does the scene unfold? Immerse yourself in the noise, the sights, scents and textures, the jubilation of it all.

Hear the squashing tone of the Pharisees “Teacher, order your disciples to stop!”
Hear Jesus’s reply. How does he deliver it? ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.’ Could he be laughing as he says it? Or more serious… what do you imagine?

As you hear the passage again, and as Holy Week begins, let anything new from this familiar passage, touch you.

You might want to ask God to reveal new things to you over the next few days.
“The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come.” Thanks be to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

We adore you O Christ and we bless you
For by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.
Amen