Holy Week has always been special for me. Especially, when I joined a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, which included a visit to the Mount of Olives. My fellow pilgrims included Nancy Kelso and Louise Miller. The Garden of Gethsemane is just down the hill from the Mount of Olives. Huge olive trees grow here. This is where Jesus prayed after his entrance into Jerusalem. I could imagine Jesus traveling the route to Jerusalem as people spread their cloaks on the ground and waved branches of olives and palms. Even as the people acknowledged him, perhaps in the Garden, Jesus is pondering the inevitable journey to Golgotha. He makes a promise—not my will but your will be done. This journey begins with Palm Sunday, as does my reflection.

As the palms were distributed, the crucifer, thurifer, acolytes, and priest began a procession down the center aisle and outside. Ms. Daisy struck up “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” the refrain sung by those outside. We sang the verses—by the end of the hymn there was silence. Then there were 3 knocks. The doors of the church/Jerusalem were opened and we broke forth with ‘Ride on, Ride on in Majesty” while waving out branches of palm as the procession moved up the center aisle.

“Hosanna in the highest. Blest be the king who cometh was our chant.”

Sixty years later those memories are so vivid yet so far away. This year, there will not be palm branches handed out in community, there will be no processions, and there will no community singing of “All Glory, Laud, and Honor.”

Yet, there will be community in Zoom broadcasts, live streaming, and connection in ways we never though possible. In our mind’s eye, we can and will see that triumphal entrance into Jerusalem with cloaks, palms, or olive branches. For just a moment, we will give glory, laud, and honor to the Lord, Jesus Christ.

This is just a beginning to a week of betrayal, acceptance, humility and of ‘thy will be done,” and forgiveness.

It ends with the crucifixion as foretold by our Lord Jesus Christ and the resurrection witnessed by Mary Magdalene.

All Glory, Laud, and Honor,

Amen.

Deacon Natalie