First Sunday of Lent

During the next six Sundays of Lent we will highlight the symbols of Holy Week. Each Sunday we will place a new symbol with the cross and recall its significance. The rough, natural cross reminds us that as Holy Week ended Jesus suffered and died upon such a cross, a cross which in time became a powerful symbol for Christianity.

On this 1st Sunday of Lent we place our first symbol, a small palm branch with the cross. The branch remind us of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday and the joy and excitement which was felt as the people saw Jesus coming up the dusty road to their great city. As he neared they began to sing and wave palm branches. They had great hopes and expectations that this man called Jesus would change their lives.

Read: Mark 11:8-10
Dear God, on this first Sunday of Lent let each of us feel the excitement and joy which people felt as they ran to meet Jesus on that Sunday morning long ago. Amen.