March 31, 2009

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

This Sunday we begin the solemn events of Holy Week. On Palm Sunday we will carry palms and walk in procession as we remember the glorious entry of Jesus into Jerusalem when he was hailed as king and messiah. We will have a dramatic reading of the Passion of Christ according to Mark. Throughout Holy Week we will celebrate special worship services that invite us to walk with Christ and enter into his loving spirit. For the schedule of Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter services, please click here.

THEME FOR PALM SUNDAY (THE SUNDAY OF THE PASSION)

Palm Sunday begins on a festive note as we listen to a Gospel passage describing the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. In a joyous procession with palms the congregation reenacts the scene when Jesus was welcomed with shouts of Hosanna. Then, our mood turns somber as we listen to the reading of the Passion and hear of Jesus' agony in the garden, arrest, and crucifixion. The service ends with the mournful singing of "Were you there?" In the Collect we pray: "Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

The reading from Isaiah describes a servant of God who suffers rejection and abuse. The Christian community saw this innocent prophet as a prefiguration of the suffering of Jesus: "I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting." (Isaiah 50:4-9a)

Psalm 31 continues this theme of the innocent who suffer unjustly: "My eye is consumed with sorrow, and also my throat and my belly. For my life is wasted with grief, and my years with sighing; my strength fails me because of affliction, and my bones are consumed. I have become a reproach to all my enemies and even to my neighbors, a dismay to those of my acquaintance; when they see me in the street they avoid me. I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; I am as useless as a broken pot."

The reading of Philippians describes the emptying (Greek word "kenosis") of God's glory to become human in Jesus and his further emptying to suffer and die: "Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death--even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:5-11).

The Passion of Christ according to Mark is read dramatically with participation of the congregation. We are with Jesus in his Passover meal with his disciples, the Last Supper and institution of the Holy Eucharist, the betrayal by Judas, the arrest, Peter's denial, Pilate's condemnation, the crowning with thorns, the via dolorosa or way of the cross, the crucifixion, death, and burial. (Mark 14:1-15:47)

All are welcome to join us for the procession with palms and the sacred liturgy on Saturday at 5:00 pm and Sunday at 10:30 am.

Sincerely, David A. Killian Rector

For the Collect of the Day, Scripture Readings, and Psalm, click here. Please note that the we are now using the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) reading. For Story from this Sunday's Gospel by Becky Taylor, Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministry, click here.

worship services for

PALM SUNDAY
April 4-5, 2009
Saturday, April 4, at 5:00 pm — Reading of the Passion of Christ according to Mark
Sunday, April 5, at 10:30 am — Reading of the Passion of Christ according to Mark

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All Saints Parish • 1773 Beacon Street • Brookline, MA 02445 • 617-738-1810