A very large crowd
before and
behind
cried
out with
 “Hosanna to
the Son of David,”
 as they spread their cloaks
and strewed leaves from the palm trees,
preparing the way for the king to enter Jerusalem.

The city’s people were dazed
and they cried out.

Who
can
this
be,
this
great
one?

Now we cry out too!
Who can this
 be?

We wave psalms in welcome, but we ask,
Jesus of Nazareth, who are you to us?
Our God who walks alongside us?
A king, crowned with thorns?
A light that shows
our way to
the
 truth?

Sweet
Jesus, you so
loved the world that you
set your face like flint toward us,
and gave your back to those who beat you,
and your cheek to the ones who plucked your beard!

 No?

Did
you ever
shield yourself
when you were struck?

Instead,
you humbled yourself and
emptied yourself
out of love.

Let us be amazed
by your love,
and share
in it.

Let us say with the pagan centurion,

“Truly this man was
the Son of
God!”

No self-concern,
no turning
away.

Christ,
teach us to love
in your way.

Filled with your Spirit,
let us surrender
into your
love.