praise

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen."
(Luke 19:37)

i love church during Holy Week. if the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service is my single favorite service, then Holy Week (Palm Sunday through Easter) is my favorite collective time. this morning the church was filled was palms -- not just the little ones they hand out, but gorgeous potted palms with big floppy fronds, all around the altar & spilling out into the sanctuary. it was beautiful. i love that the Gospel reading (the Palm Sunday story from Luke & John) is done at the opening of the service, with the cross at the back of the church, everyone facing it. and then the processional hymn, everyone turning to continue facing the cross as it makes its way up to the altar. for me, it is the anniversary of my confirmation. seventeen years ago on Palm Sunday. i can remember my class standing in the front of the church, confessing our faith & taking Communion for the first time. i almost didn't get to. i was recovering from chicken pox. but they let me slip in for the service & then i had to go right back home again. i love the hymns we sing & the brief respite from the quiet reflection & penitence of Lent. everything is bright & celebratory for one day. on Thursday, we are again reflective, as we remember the institution of the Sacrament. and on Friday, we are speechless, solemn, remorseful, remembering the Sacrifice. Palm Sunday pales in comparison to the victory of Easter, but in its own right, after weeks of quiet meditation & contemplation, just for one day, we praise.

All glory, laud, and honor
To Thee, Redeemer, King.
To whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.
To Thee, before Thy Passion,
They sang their hymns of praise;
To Thee, now high exalted,
Our melody we raise.
("All Glory, Laud, and Honor," v.4, The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941)