Palm Sunday

This week before Easter is known as Holy Week. It begins on Palm Sunday, which is the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem almost 2000 years ago. At that time Jerusalem had a normal population of about 50,000, and it at least tripled in size because of the influx of pilgrims celebrating the Jewish holiday of Passover.

Marcus Borg says this:

“On... Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem from the east in a procession riding on a donkey cheered by his followers. At the same time, a Roman imperial procession of troops and cavalry entered the city from the west, headed by Pilate. Their purpose was to reinforce the Roman garrison stationed near the temple for the season of Passover, when tens (hundreds?) of thousands of Jewish pilgrims filled the city... 

Jesus’ mode of entry was symbolic, signifying that the kingdom of which he spoke was a kingdom of peace. According to the prophet Zechariah, the king entering Jerusalem on a donkey was to banish the weapons of war from the land and speak peace to the nations. The kingdom of Rome on the other hand was based on violence and the threat of violence.”

Agenda Today:
1. Journal: 

Marcus Borg sees Palm Sunday as Jesus’ intentional confrontation of the Roman domination. I too am called to speak truth to power and put my faith into action. 

Where do I see domination systems today? 
What are my intentions for facing them with peaceful actions?

2. Make a palm cross:

As Jesus entered Jerusalem the gathered people threw down palm fronds before him, which were a symbol of triumph, and the national emblem of an independent Palestine. 

It's a custom on Palm Sunday for many Catholics to receive palms at mass (which have been blessed) and then weave them into various shapes. 

I decided to weave some crosses, but I didn't have any palm fronds, so I tried some other kinds of leaves- the green cross is made from fresh day lily leaf, and the other two are bamboo leaves. 

There are lots of good videos and tutorials, and my favorites are here and here.


3. Altar: 

The imagery of death and rebirth is strong in the spring; I add my palm crosses to my altar today to remind myself to die and be reborn every day, and also to remind myself to speak truth to power.

4. Palm Sunday Prayer: 

Spirit, give me the courage to challenge those systems that oppress your people and this earth, with peace and a compassion that creates openings for transformation and change.

5. Set up my egg tree: 

It is an old custom in parts of Europe to make an Easter tree, often on Palm Sunday. Folks find a bare branch from a tree, stick it into a pot or vase of dirt, and hang it with decorated eggs tied on with ribbons. In Switzerland, after the tree is decorated, the children walk around it and make secret wishes.

I potted up my egg tree several weeks ago, and planted grass- now it's ready for the eggs!

6. Make Figgy Pudding: 
This day is called Fig Sunday in parts of England; some people think it's because, shortly after the triumphant entry into Jerusalem, Jesus discovers a fig tree with no fruit on it and cursed the tree saying, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” (Matthew 21:18-22, and Mark 11:12-14). 

Scholars have lots of interesting explanations for this gospel, and no matter what the explanation, it seems an odd reason to eat figs today. Still, I get a kick out of the very thought of Figgy Pudding, so I gave it a try- and it turned out very tasty!

Ingredients:

You need a proper pudding mold if you want to steam this pudding.

• 3 Tbsp. butter 
• 3/4 c. brown sugar 
• 1/2 c. milk 
• 2 c. all-purpose flour 
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda 
• 1/2 tsp. salt 
• 1/4 tsp. allspice 
• 1 c. chopped dried figs
• 1 tart apple
• 1/2 c. chopped pecans 

Yield: 1 pudding- 

1- Melt the butter and combine in a large bowl with the sugar and milk. Add flour, baking soda, salt and allspice and mix by hand until smooth. (You may need to add a bit more milk but it should be a pretty thick batter.)

2- Finely chop the figs and pecans. Peel, core, and finely chop the apple. Stir into the batter.

3- Butter a 2-quart pudding mold with a tight lid. Spoon the batter into the mold, press it down, and cover.

4- Heat water in a large pan and set the mold in, so that the water comes about halfway up the mold. Cover and steam on medium-low for 2 hours. (Check the water level halfway through.)

5- Remove the pudding and cool 10 minutes before removing from mold. Serve warm.