PALM SUNDAY REMINISCENCE

We celebrated Palm Sunday in church this morning. There were 12 confirmands. I was confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Concordia, MO, on Palm Sunday 1967. I remember it as a bright sunny day, & for some reason, I remember my mom's crocuses blooming in our backyard. I wore a sweater that was hand-knitted by my grandma. One of my godfathers gave me a Bible. There were 29 confirmands in my class. We sat in white robes in the front of the church & had our first communion.

This cheery day stood in contrast to Questioning Sunday a week before, where we also sat in white robes in the front of the church. Our pastor moved down the line & asked us to recite, from memory, answers from Luther's Small Catechism, along with the Bible verses that accompanied them. We had no inkling of the questions we would be asked. I had dreaded that Sunday. I spent the day before, also a sunny day, as I remember it, & instead of enjoying the day outside, I was stuck inside, frantically pouring over the answers & verses that I had recklessly neglected throughout the school year. [Our pastor taught our confirmation classes four days a week at St. Paul's Lutheran School.]

The moment of reckoning came. I don't remember the questions I was asked, but I do remember that I biffed the answer to the first one he directed at me. I think I answered the second one mostly correctly. The third time around we could volunteer our answers, & I judiciously kept my hand down. 

A READING FOR PALM SUNDAY

"Into Your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth. In You, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in Your righteousness. Since You are my rock & my fortress, for the sake of Your name lead & guide me. Into Your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth. I hate those who cling to worthless idols; I trust in the Lord. My times are in Your hands; deliver me from my enemies & from those who pursue me. Let Your face shine on your servant; save me in Your unfailing love." (Ps. 31:5, Ps. 31:1, 3, 5-6, 15-16)  Introit for Palm Sunday, Lutheran Worship

A VERSE FOR PALM SUNDAY

"The hour has come for the Son of God to be glorified." (John 12:23)

PRAYERS FOR PALM SUNDAY

"Most merciful God, as the people of Jerusalem, with palms in their hands, gathered to greet Your dearly loved Son when He came into His Holy City, grant that we may ever hail Him as our King &, when He comes again, may go forth to meet Him with trusting & steadfast hearts & follow Him in the way that leads to eternal life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God now & forever. Amen." Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

"Almighty & everlasting God the Father, who sent Your Son to take our nature upon Him & to suffer death on the cross that all mankind should follow the example of His great humility, mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of our Savior Jesus Christ in His patience & also have our portion in His resurrection; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen." Lutheran Worship

A HYMN FOR PALM SUNDAY

Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (LSB #443, Sts. 1, 3)

Hosanna, loud hosanna, The little children sang; Through pillared court & temple The lovely anthem rang. To Jesus who had blessed them, Close folded to His breast, The children sang their praises, The simplest & the best.

"Hosanna in the highest!" That ancient song we sing; For Christ is our Redeemer, The Lord of heav'n our King. Oh, may we ever praise Him With heart & life & voice And in His blissful presence Eternally rejoice."