The Paradox about Palm Sunday - Celebrating the Day at the Church of The Epiphany

Today, in his sermon on the occasion of Palm Sunday, the Presbyter in Charge, Revd. Prateek Pillai, very clearly brought out the Paradox in the celebration of Palm Sunday, whether it was the first one or the latest one. He spoke about the contradiction between the expectations of the people who were looking forward towards welcoming a Regal King in the Royal sense as opposed to the entry of a humble King, a Serving King. We are so accustomed to celebrating greatness and grandeur that we are not able to comprehend the sublimity of modest greatness. The cultural contradiction lies in our inability to comprehend true greatness as opposed to what is profane in nature. The contradiction lies in our celebrating the profane and ephemeral as opposed to what is profound, and true greatness.

In his sermon on the occasion of Palm Sunday, Revd. Prateek went on to describe how love flows from sacrifice while power flows from servitude. The festival of Palm Sunday is a celebration of the entry of a Serving King into the town of Jerusalem, riding, not a regal horse, but a humble Foal, a testament to the power of modesty and humbleness rather than the frailty of pride. The message for the day was that one should discard one's pride and instead take on the mantle  of modesty, humility and service. The service today, on the occasion of Palm Sunday included a procession by the congregation and a special number by the Sunday School children.

There is so much to learn about the need to inculcate humbleness, service, and modesty from the lessons of Palm Sunday. The need to celebrate and appreciate those two qualities and values stems from our misconceptions about celebrating greatness that is filled with ego and pride. The very act of riding on a humble foal, as opposed to a regal and royal horse, is a message about humbleness. One needs to appreciate the power of service and acknowledge a Serving King rather than a demanding and egotistic King. The message of Palm Sunday is pertinent, especially in today's context, where wars are driven and fueled by ego and pride!