Palms or Passion?

Palms or Passion? Which approach will you take to the Sixth Sunday of Lent this year? There are two sets of Revised Common Lectionary readings for that day, reflecting the ecumenical church's use of two distinct approaches. The Liturgy of the Palms is festive, reminding us of joy and celebration when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The Liturgy of the Passion is more somber, reminding us of the weighty events of Holy Week. Both sets of readings are listed in the United Methodist Book of Worship.

Which Should You Use?

For many pastors, the decision was made decades ago, long before their appointment to that local church. The tradition of having the children or the entire congregation process with palm branches influences many pastors to use only the Liturgy of the Palms for the entire service for unity's sake. There are, however, several good reasons to use both the Liturgy of the Palms and the Liturgy of the Passion this year.

1. New church members and younger church members do not automatically know what happened during Holy Week. Recent attendance figures reveal that many people choose NOT to attend a weekly Bible class. Those who do attend weekly Bible studies often do not study what we once considered "basics"; many of the newer studies are topical.
   
2. Attendance at Holy Week special worship services has also declined. Pastors can no longer assume that a large percentage of the parish will hear the lections read for Maundy Thursday or Good Friday observances.
   
3. We live in a culture where The Passion of Christ and The DaVinci Code greatly influence what members of our congregations know and believe about the Bible. How much better it is to have those texts interpreted in the trusted environment of the local church.

Using both the Liturgy of the Palms and the Liturgy of the Passion will require thoughtful planning of Sunday morning worship. You may also want to consider allowing the texts to do the preaching on this day. See the companion article, "Palm Sunday: A Time for Preaching or Storytelling?" for additional suggestions about using the longer Liturgy of the Passion readings.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for the Sixth Sunday of Lent*

Year A
Liturgy of the Palms
Matthew 21:1-11; Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 (UMH 839)
Liturgy of the Passion
Isaiah 50:4-9a; Ps 31:9-16 (UMH 764);
Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew 26:14—27:66 or Matthew 27:11-54

Year B
Liturgy of the Palms
Mark 11:1-11; Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 (UMH 839)
Liturgy of the Passion
Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16 (UMH 764);
Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 14:1—15:47 or Mark 15:1-39 (40-47)

Year C
Liturgy of the Palms
Luke 19:28-40; Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 (UMH 839)
Liturgy of the Passion
Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16 (UMH 764)
Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 22:14—23:56 or Luke 23:1-49

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*This listing of readings comes from The United Methodist Book of Worship and is adapted from The Revised Common Lectionary: Consultation on Common Texts (Abingdon Press, 1992) copyright © by the Consultation on Common Texts (CCT), PO Box 340003, Room 381, Nashville TN 37203-0003. Reprinted with the permission of CCT.