Palm Sunday

I come from a faith tradition where the "build up" to Easter Sunday morning is an important of the Christian's spiritual journey and pilgrimage.

That build up starts on Ash Wednesday marking 40 more days until Easter.
The build up continues with the Triiumphal entry of Jesus in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
The build up starts to come to a close with a Maundy Thursday celebration of the Last Supper.
The build up's penultimate act is the crucifixion of Christ on Good Friday - Jesus is dead...
The build up finds its ultimate celebration and joy on Easter Sunday with its "He is risen! He is risen indeed!" ringing throughout the world as the Easter Lilies trumpet His praise!

I have been following that "build up" my whole life.
At church today I was hoping for a mention of Palm Sunday... some sort of recognition that in order to fully experience the joy of having the stone rolled away on Easter Sunday morning you have to wade through the palm branches, endure the cleansing of the temple, sit at the table and sup with the Savior one last time and then hear the hammer resonate through the countryside as the nails pierce the flesh before they pierce the old rugged cross. You have to get through the darkness of Good Friday before you get to the brilliant radiance of the Risen One on Easter Sunday!

My iWitness...

Why are traditions so hard to break?

I guess something that you have done for 50 straight years in Church is greatly missed when the "build up" is not recognized at all...

What traditions do you keep on your spiritual journey and pilgrimage?

Here's my question of the day...

When Jesus is born on Christmas day you have celestial (heavenly) beings saying...
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace
among those with whom he is pleased."

On Palm Sunday you have terrestial (earthly) beings saying...
"Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest."

Why is it that in Bethlehem you have angels saying, "peace on earth" and in Jerusalem you have humans saying, "peace in heaven?"

And that's my iWitness...
Laugh often and Fear not!
David!