“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” – Matt. 21:9
Dear Ones,
You may be asking, how are we to celebrate and wave our palms this year when so much around us has shifted? How can we be joyful when there is sickness and grief and fear, and the future is unknown?
In times that our lives are full of change and worry, let us never forget that God is our anchor in the storms of life, and God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Our Lord comes not to rule over us with pompous oversight flaunting an extravagant lifestyle, but our Lord comes from humble roots - with compassion that sees the outcast, and power that heals the suffering and mends the brokenhearted. Our Lord Jesus is servant and friend to all who seek him.
We can be jubilant even amidst sorrow and despair, even amidst uncertainty and fear; because we know that God’s love reigns supreme in all the fullness of our lives, even as we are separated from each other for now. Despite the distance we are keeping for the well-being of one another, remember God’s community is woven together by the power of the Spirit at work in our hearts and lives. Let us celebrate the fact of our unity on Palm Sunday and in the week ahead; the presence of our loving Christ is with us now and always. For this reason, let us wave our palms, finding joy within the heartache of these days and holding onto hope in God for what will be.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Amy Lincoln