A users' guide for Episcopalians

Today is a day of contrasts, both joy and sorrow. On Palm Sunday, the final Sunday before Easter, we commemorate both Jesus’ triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem, where he is greeted by the crowds as the Messiah, and his Passion, when he is crucified by the authorities and jeered by the same crowds who had earlier welcomed him. Our service today reflects both joy (the gift of palms, the object that the crowds waved at Jesus) and sorrow (the reading of the Passion Gospel).