Only a few weeks ago, on March 29, the Village of Lindenhurst held its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. As always, the village workers set up barricades along Wellwood Avenue, blocked off traffic, and allowed our community to gather and enjoy a day of music, marching, and merriment.
We enjoy parades! Who doesn’t look forward to the moment when Santa’s sleigh closes out Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, signaling the start of the holiday season? And for sports fans, few things rival the excitement of a ticker tape parade down the Canyon of Heroes, honoring championship teams. Maybe you’ve experienced the joy of the Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans on Fat Tuesday or admired the floral wonders of the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day. Even a Disney theme park character parade can bring smiles and spark imagination.
Parades have deep roots in human history. In ancient Rome, victorious generals were honored with triumphs—elaborate public parades celebrating military conquest. These processions would wind through city streets, with soldiers, captives, and spoils of war on display, culminating in praise for the emperor and the gods. It was also customary for Roman officials and military leaders to be welcomed into cities with public fanfare—including into Jerusalem.
And that brings us to a very different kind of procession.
On Palm Sunday, we remember Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem—not on a warhorse, but humbly riding a donkey. The people greeted Him not with military banners but with palm branches, symbols of peace and victory, and cries of “Hosanna!” They laid their cloaks and branches on the road before Him—an act of honor and reverence. Unlike the parades of emperors, this one pointed to a different kind of kingship: one marked by humility, sacrifice, and love.
We invite you to join our parade this Sunday, April 13, at 9:30 AM, as we begin our Palm Sunday worship (please see the attached worship bulletin). Our children will process into the sanctuary, waving palms as we remember Jesus’ triumphant, yet poignant, entrance into the Holy City. Come and journey with us as we begin Holy Week together.
Blessings,
Pastor Marc
