The priest, when blessing the palms on Palm Sunday, is directed by the 1979 Book of Common Prayer (page 271) to say, “It is right to praise you, Almighty God, for the acts of love by which you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. On this day he entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph, and was proclaimed as King of kings by those who spread their garments and branches of palm along his way. Let these branches be for us signs of his victory, and grant that we who bear them in his name may ever hail him as our King, and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life; who lives and reigns in glory with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.”

That “way that leads to eternal life” will take Jesus through persecution, brutality, trial, conviction, abandonment, and death on a cross before he comes out the other side, victorious, on Easter Morn. Let there be no confusion, then, regarding the reason Palm Sunday is also called The Sunday of the Passion.

Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Appointed Readings:

Liturgy of the Palms:

• Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
• Mark 11:1-11 or John 12:12-16

Liturgy of the Word:

• Psalm 31:9-16
• Isaiah 50:4-9a
• Philippians 2:5-11
• Mark 14:1-15:47 or Mark 15:1-39, [40-47]

Worship Schedule for Palm Sunday

Sunday 8am, Sunday 10am

About the Image

Jesus enters Jerusalem, relief in stone on the west facade, Orvieto Cathedral, Italy (c. 1310-31)

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