A fence built around a graveyard is a thing of wonder, no doubt: those outside don’t want to get in, and those who are in can’t get out! –as heard on “the Benny Hill Show”
So the theme this Palm Sunday weekend is Gates, especially the Gates of the City. I once had a young man of the parish, a computer nerd, who did all the tech stuff around the church. When at Advent we’d sing, “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”, he thought it was about BILL!
The Jewish community traditionally reads Psalm 118 during Passover, and therefore it’s not a bit surprising that Jesus & Co. honored its verses of thanksgiving as a sign that the Lord is near. The singer calls to the watcher of the gate, “Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.” (verses 19-20) Those who followed Jesus through the gates of Jerusalem, the Holy Center of the world, shouted loudly, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” (v.26)
Perhaps for me the significant verse in Luke’s recounting is the first one in the reading: “(Jesus) went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.” (19:28) It woulda been really easy to escape the heat for a while–but he was not to be dissuaded. He went right to the heart of the faith.
Interestingly, Luke shows his non-Jewishness by omitting what is central to many Church people: Nowhere in the text do we read “Hosanna!”, which means “save us, Lord!” As a Greek, Luke wouldn’t have participated in the Long Despair the Jews had suffered under Syrian & Roman occupation–so being “saved” from idol-worshipers wasn’t on his front burner.
And what’s this? NO PALM BRANCHES! To the Jewish folks in Jesus’ day, the palm fronds were symbols of rebellion: the Zealots and other revolutionaries waved palms as flags, and some appeared on old coins, as well. Luke may not have known this tradition, so he saw no real reason to include it. However, the folks around Jesus expected an immediate restoration of the Throne of David–and an expulsion of those uppity Romans.
On Sunday, YOU can wave (sterilized) palm branches in order to announce a revolution and a civil overthrow of the systems which enslave our lives! And shout “Hosanna!” loudly, fully expecting that Jesus is the One to Save Us! Do you believe in this revolution, this salvation??
Don’t stand outside the Gates to the City of God. C’mon in!
God Bless Us, Every One H B King
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