Hosanna Sunday
"Sha'nee-nee" Sunday
Posted on 03/20/2005 1:36:47 PM PST by NYer
[John 12:12] On the next day, when the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
[John 12:13] they took palm branches and went out to meet him, and cried out: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, (even) the king of Israel."
[John 12:14] Jesus found an ass and sat upon it, as is written:
[John 12:15] "Fear no more, O daughter Zion; see, your king comes, seated upon an ass's colt."
[John 12:16] His disciples did not understand this at first, but when Jesus had been glorified they remembered that these things were written about him and that they had done this for him.
[John 12:17] So the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from death continued to testify.
[John 12:18] This was (also) why the crowd went to meet him, because they heard that he had done this sign.
[John 12:19] So the Pharisees said to one another, "You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the whole world has gone after him."
[John 12:20] Now there were some Greeks among those who had come up to worship at the feast.
[John 12:21] They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, "Sir, we would like to see Jesus."
[John 12:22] Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.
After the blessing of the palms, Father led us all in a procession out the church and down the street. One of the parishioners stood guard to block the traffic while children dressed up in beautiful outfits held decorated candles and adults waved their palms. The processional cross was decorated with palms and Salim (one of 3 acolytes) held it up high, as we traversed 4th Street in Troy, NY. Some of the motoriests grew impatient ... hey, it's only one day a year ;-D.
The children were absoluely resplendent in their beautiful dresses and suits. It was a beautiful liturgy, followed by plenty of food and a smiling Abouna, who worked the crowd.
"Bring forth the branches of palms and olives.
Place them before Him,
Jesus, our great King!
Let us set out on the road so to meet Him.
When He will come in His glory to meet us. "
Blessed Palm Sunday to you all!
.....and the C&E crowd was there!
Christmas and Easter (twice a year attendees).
Here in the East, we refer to them as "CAPs" - Catholics who show up for Christmas, Ashes and Palms. Hey, at least they show up!
C&E or CAPs, here we call them blessed by God's grace.
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