Palm Sunday: Soul Songs
Sunday 13 April 2025
Nourished by musical expression
Bible readings
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures forever!
Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord;
the righteous shall enter through it.
I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing;
it is marvellous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Save us, we beseech you, O Lord!
O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
The Lord is God,
and he has given us light.
Bind the festal procession with branches,
up to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God; I will extol you.
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Luke 19:28-40
After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ” So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They said, “The Lord needs it.” Then they brought it to Jesus, and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. Now as he was approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying,
“Blessed is the king
who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven,
and glory in the highest heaven!”
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”
Opening liturgy
Give us this day our daily bread that lets our hearts sing…
That we can express our loves, our likes, our hates, our fears,
the depths of our joys, our sorrows, our hopes, our dreams.
Give us this day our daily bread that lets our hearts sing…
That we can live and be ourselves knowing you hear our songs,
that we can sing out our hearts desire.
Give us this day our daily bread that lets our hearts sing…
As you know the songs of our souls, the depths of our being,
may those others who hear them through us see you.
O Lord our God, on this Lenten journey,
let us sing and shout and proclaim your way, your Word. Amen.
Object
A vinyl record
Background notes
The whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen...
The entire gathering of disciples began joyfully praising God with loud voices, celebrating the powerful deeds they had witnessed. Unlike in Mark’s account – where the praise comes from the general unaffiliated crowd – here it is specifically the disciples who honour Jesus. Their praise has a solid basis, a response to all they had seen Jesus accomplish up to this point. This scene serves as a climactic celebration of Jesus’ ministry.(1)
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!”
In Luke’s account, unlike in Mark 11:10, there is no mention of “Hosanna” or references to David. Instead, the disciples echo the angels’ song from the Christmas narrative (Luke 2:14), suggesting a fulfilment of the promises of the incarnation. Yet, there is a realistic note here: peace on earth has not yet arrived, and the word “earth” is replaced with “heaven” in this song. Referring back to the Advent/Christmas series ‘Hush the Noise’ could be helpful to remind people of the angels’ song and its message.(2)
“I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”
This may allude to Habakkuk 2:11, where stones cry out from a wall in protest against violence and injustice. Here, the idea that even inanimate stones are ready to sing suggests the cosmic significance of what is happening, as if the very fabric of nature itself is compelled to offer praise.(3)
1 C. F. Evans, Saint Luke (1990) SCM, London, p. 680.
2 Eduard Schweizer, The Good News According to Luke (1984) John Knox, Atlanta, p. 299.
3 Joseph A. Fitzmeyer, The Gospel According to Luke (1981) Doubleday, New York, p. 1252.
Questions for discussion
Here are some discussion questions based on the themes of praise, prophecy and cosmic significance in this passage.
- Joyful praise for deeds of power The disciples’ praise is based on all they had seen Jesus accomplish. What powerful deeds have inspired your own faith journey? How can we incorporate joyful gratitude for God’s works in our own lives?
- Echoes of the angels’ song The disciples’ words here reflect the angels’ song from Luke’s Christmas narrative. How does this connection enhance our understanding of Jesus’ mission? How do you see themes of peace and glory unfolding from the beginning of Jesus’ life to this moment?
- Silent stones and cosmic praise Jesus says that if the disciples were silent, the stones would shout out. What does this image of nature itself offering praise suggest about the significance of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem? How might creation “praise” or reveal God’s glory today?
Prayer ideas
Give everyone a stone and a felt-tip pen. Read out again, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.” Invite people to write on the stone the things that they are thankful to God for.
The good news to get across
The death and Resurrection of Jesus brought transformation to the entire universe. Both sentient beings and inanimate creation are drawn into this renewal, as all things are encompassed in the restoration God brings.
Ways people can respond
Sing together StF 82, “O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder”. As people sing the line, “Then sings my soul…” encourage them to reflect on the blessings and acts of kindness that God has bestowed upon them.
Hands-on activity
Make model microphones – people can hold them and shout their praises and thanks to God.
Prayer of blessing
May God, the bringer of peace, and worker of mighty deeds,
bring out songs of praise from your soul today.
Amen.