I don’t think I’ve ever heard the story of Palm Sunday by contrasting it with another entry-parade across the city. They have always concentrated just on Jesus. This is the kind of surprise that I enjoy in a sermon, homily, or blog. It’s why I subscribed to the Cottage in the first place.
I am deeply moved by the contrast of the two processions to Jerusalem: one representing the Roman Empire's power and Jesus' entry from the east. This year the word sacrifice became a word to ponder.. I think Jesus was a sacrifice, but by Caiaphas ("Better that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish" - John 11:50) to the god of the Roman Empire. Jesus, on the other hand, continued in his father's will: that he love to the end. I know this because of what he did after his Gethsemane prayer: he healed the ear of a soldier who had come at arrest him, he forgave those who executed him, he told one of those being crucified with him that they would be together in paradise that day, and he took care of his mother giving her into the care of the beloved disciple.
Then your insight about being at the table and the movement from table to trial to crucifixion to tomb (burial) to tomb (resurrection) to table again is a game changer for me. One kingdom rests on the myth of redemptive violence, the other rests on the power of love and shared meals (signifying shared meals, shared love, shared community, shared live in all its dimensions).
Thanks for sharing this excerpt and JDC's reading. When I first read this book, it totally changed my understanding of Jesus' ministry. I wish it were required reading for elected officials who have white Christian Nationalist leanings.
Sadly, the Episcopal liturgy overwhelms Palm Sunday with Sunday of the Passion, so a sermon on Palm Sunday is rarely heard. I had never heard of the two processions before today. But I have done plenty of walking around carrying a palm in a nearly meaningless performance accompanied by “All Glory Laud and Honor”. Thank you for this sermon.
What a refreshing way to hear Palm Sunday and from Dom himself- the always added bonus of his spoken word. What struck me from his reading was the finality I heard in his voice, when he read the last sentence from the book.
I'll be honest, I never liked Palm Sunday, even as a child. In my teen years and beyond I stopped going to church on Palm Sunday. I saw nothing triumphant about Jesus entering Jerusalem only to know how the rest of Holy week would unfold leading to Good Friday. Yes, I got the whole thing at grad school but to this day I take a quiet day off on Palm Sunday.
Thanks so much for JDC’s reading…I’m thinking that the message of the 2 processions and what they signify of 2 kingdoms in contrast, I’m seeing as the crux of what I want to take from the example of the life of one Jesus of Nazareth!
Thank you for the reading and also your sermon. I did the online course last year with Tripp Fuller and John Dominic Crossan and had just pulled out The Last Week to start reading it again. After taking that class Amanda Udis-Kessler wrote Two Processions: A Palm Sunday Hymn.
Thank you, Diana, for this important piece. It inspired me to write today on JS Bach’s Aria “have mercy” sung in a haunting version by Marian Anderson. Her concert on the stoops of the Lincoln memorial in 1939 because she was denied access to the concert hall was such a plea of mercy just as it has been two thousand years ago. Thank you for the inspiration.
The two kingdoms, familiar territory. Thank you, Diana for sharing the story from the book of Mark by John Dominic Crossan. It helped me visualize the crowds from both east and west of the city.
This post is beautiful, offers powerful perspective, and is convicting -- if we let it be so. Thank you, Diana. Your writings move me and your multi-media approach is so enjoyable! So much to ponder ... Blessings to you this Palm Sunday! May your spirit be fed for the journey.
As I wrote last year, I had NEVER heard of the 2 processions until I read your essay. This year Hosanna needs to be SHOUTED in every corner of the world, especially at the front of the convoys of aid being blocked entry into Gaza - possibly a road which Jesus actually traveled during his living ministry! I’m singing with you, “Hosanna, hey sanna, sanna, sanna, ho / Sanna, hey, sanna hosanna!”
I don’t think I’ve ever heard the story of Palm Sunday by contrasting it with another entry-parade across the city. They have always concentrated just on Jesus. This is the kind of surprise that I enjoy in a sermon, homily, or blog. It’s why I subscribed to the Cottage in the first place.
I am deeply moved by the contrast of the two processions to Jerusalem: one representing the Roman Empire's power and Jesus' entry from the east. This year the word sacrifice became a word to ponder.. I think Jesus was a sacrifice, but by Caiaphas ("Better that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish" - John 11:50) to the god of the Roman Empire. Jesus, on the other hand, continued in his father's will: that he love to the end. I know this because of what he did after his Gethsemane prayer: he healed the ear of a soldier who had come at arrest him, he forgave those who executed him, he told one of those being crucified with him that they would be together in paradise that day, and he took care of his mother giving her into the care of the beloved disciple.
Then your insight about being at the table and the movement from table to trial to crucifixion to tomb (burial) to tomb (resurrection) to table again is a game changer for me. One kingdom rests on the myth of redemptive violence, the other rests on the power of love and shared meals (signifying shared meals, shared love, shared community, shared live in all its dimensions).
Thank you! It will be a very Happy Easter.
Thanks for sharing this excerpt and JDC's reading. When I first read this book, it totally changed my understanding of Jesus' ministry. I wish it were required reading for elected officials who have white Christian Nationalist leanings.
Sadly, the Episcopal liturgy overwhelms Palm Sunday with Sunday of the Passion, so a sermon on Palm Sunday is rarely heard. I had never heard of the two processions before today. But I have done plenty of walking around carrying a palm in a nearly meaningless performance accompanied by “All Glory Laud and Honor”. Thank you for this sermon.
I always re-read this book every Lent. I have always respected these two theologians. Thank you for this.
What a refreshing way to hear Palm Sunday and from Dom himself- the always added bonus of his spoken word. What struck me from his reading was the finality I heard in his voice, when he read the last sentence from the book.
I'll be honest, I never liked Palm Sunday, even as a child. In my teen years and beyond I stopped going to church on Palm Sunday. I saw nothing triumphant about Jesus entering Jerusalem only to know how the rest of Holy week would unfold leading to Good Friday. Yes, I got the whole thing at grad school but to this day I take a quiet day off on Palm Sunday.
Thanks so much for JDC’s reading…I’m thinking that the message of the 2 processions and what they signify of 2 kingdoms in contrast, I’m seeing as the crux of what I want to take from the example of the life of one Jesus of Nazareth!
Thank you for the reading by John Dominic Crossan.
What fun to hear Dom read!
(And now I'm really missing Marcus.)
What a gift! I just love the book and hearing John Dominic Crossan read...well that is the best! Thank you.
Thank you for the reading and also your sermon. I did the online course last year with Tripp Fuller and John Dominic Crossan and had just pulled out The Last Week to start reading it again. After taking that class Amanda Udis-Kessler wrote Two Processions: A Palm Sunday Hymn.
Thank you, Diana, for this important piece. It inspired me to write today on JS Bach’s Aria “have mercy” sung in a haunting version by Marian Anderson. Her concert on the stoops of the Lincoln memorial in 1939 because she was denied access to the concert hall was such a plea of mercy just as it has been two thousand years ago. Thank you for the inspiration.
The two kingdoms, familiar territory. Thank you, Diana for sharing the story from the book of Mark by John Dominic Crossan. It helped me visualize the crowds from both east and west of the city.
This post is beautiful, offers powerful perspective, and is convicting -- if we let it be so. Thank you, Diana. Your writings move me and your multi-media approach is so enjoyable! So much to ponder ... Blessings to you this Palm Sunday! May your spirit be fed for the journey.
As I wrote last year, I had NEVER heard of the 2 processions until I read your essay. This year Hosanna needs to be SHOUTED in every corner of the world, especially at the front of the convoys of aid being blocked entry into Gaza - possibly a road which Jesus actually traveled during his living ministry! I’m singing with you, “Hosanna, hey sanna, sanna, sanna, ho / Sanna, hey, sanna hosanna!”
Thank you for this reading today🙏