Parades

Charlotte Collins Reed

Christ Church Episcopal

April 14, 2019

Palm Sunday

          The Memorial Parade has become something of a tradition at Christ Church-if we define a tradition as anything we have done more than once!  Our original goal in joining the parade was to increase our visibility in Hudson, which we certainly achieved with a huge float holding a likeness of our three buildings, a bagpiper or two and drums, dozens of us in Christ Church T-shirts riding or walking, and a large “God Loves You, No Exceptions” sign.  The mood of the parade is joyful as we pass by thousands of Hudsonites along the parade route, waving and enjoying the day.

          Being in the parade is obviously about more than just getting from Acme to the cemetery and being noticed.  First, being in a parade is about being part of something larger than oneself.  When we are part of the Memorial Parade, we are claiming our spot as part of the larger Hudson community as well as part of a nation recognizing those who gave the last full measure of devotion for their country.  The float itself connects us with historic Hudson and our place on the Green reminds people that our iconic Chapel is also vibrant congregation.  

Secondly, a lot of us have on identical Christ Church t-shirts, even though we don’t all look alike or believe exactly the same thing.   We are not all the same age or have the same political affiliation.  There is unity in our diversity.  In the parade, we both experience and proclaim that unity.

Lastly, our sign proclaims our common belief that God loves you, no exceptions.  This message tells people a bit about who we are and what we stand for as Christ Church Episcopal as we walk together up Main Street. 

          We join another parade this morning as Jesus makes his way into Jerusalem. Just as the Memorial Day parade is not just about being seen while getting from Acme to the cemetery, the Palm Sunday parade is about more than just getting Jesus from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem.  The pieces and parts of this parade also tell us something about both the participants in the parade and who we are called to be as followers of the One who leads the parade.

          First, Jesus sends two of his disciples ahead to find a colt that has never been ridden.  The colt doesn’t just show up-preparation is required.  But what strikes me here is the obedience of the two disciples.  Jesus’ request is admittedly odd.  The disciples are to fetch a colt that is not theirs and has never been ridden, saying to anyone who asks “The Lord needs it.”’  We’d all do that.  Right?  I, for one, would be wondering who I can call to post bail.  But the disciples trust Jesus and do as he asks.'

          Secondly, once the disciples arrive with the colt, they put their cloaks on the animal and help Jesus onto the colt.  The people spread their cloaks along the road for Jesus and the colt, as if to roll out a red carpet.  The image is of a powerful king entering the city on a mighty war horse, except Jesus is on a colt picking his way into the city over the cloaks of the people that adorn the path.  This is a humble king entering a city with no weapons, unprotected and vulnerable. 

          Lastly, a whole multitude of disciples praise God joyfully with a loud voice “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.  Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven.”  These words echo the words of the angels at Jesus’ birth: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.”  The multitude of disciples realizes that they are part of something much larger than themselves, even if they are not sure what that is. Then some of the Pharisees say to Jesus “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.”  And Jesus replies “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”  The parade is part of something so much larger than the human mind can comprehend, that even the stones will praise God.

          Obedience, humility, and submitting to something larger than the human mind can comprehend.  These are the themes of the Palm Sunday parade-the parade that takes us into the heart of Holy Week and the passion and resurrection of Jesus.  These are the themes we are called to listen for as we enter the story both today and in the week ahead.  These are the themes we are called to embrace with our lives as we follow the one who entered Jerusalem this day to give his life for the life of the world.

                                                                             Amen.