Palm Sunday Signals

Palm Sunday is such a confusing Sunday; so festive, yet acting as a prelude to Passion week. That's why the term "Palm Sunday" ahs given way in most liturgical churches for "Passion Sunday" because it is less of a festival than a somber reminder of what lies ahead for Jesus.
The palms in the huge urn and strewn on the chancel speak of the crowd's recognition of Jesus as their hero, answer, and hope for freedom. Palm Sunday, is big, like the altar-piece. The religious leaders hated the spectacle and tried to get Jesus to calm down the crowds. But Jesus let them sing and praise and wave those palms.
Jesus' own response to the Palm Sunday parade was neither joy nor disappointment, but sadness. He wept as he saw Jerusalem, still not understanding his full message. May we wave and praise him, less as majestic king and more as the Messiah who died that we might live.