Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 | Mark 11:1-11
Jeremy Richards
Our reading today tells the story of Jesus’ “triumphal entry,” which is celebrated every Palm Sunday. Jesus arrives in Jerusalem as a king, albeit a humble king. As Jesus descends the Mount of Olives on the back a young donkey, he is greeted by a group of “many people” who spread cloaks and leafy branches on the ground ahead of him, and they cry out “Hosanna (which means “God save us”)! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” It’s not hard to see why this is referred to as a “triumphal entry.” Everything’s “coming up Jesus” in this story – from the free colt to the cloaks spread across the road to the shouts of Hosanna, this is triumphal.