WE ALL LOVE A PARADE

 Perhaps the title overstated the love of a parade.  I remember when my children were growing up, in those early years, they were frightened by the noise, the chaos, the crowds.  BUT most of us enjoy watching a parade go by---and sometimes even participating in the parade.  As my daughter learned at a young age---when you participate and throw the candy--you do not get candy thrown to you.  She loved riding in the parade, but was disappointed over the loss of a sugar feast.

In most cases a parade is held to celebrate an occasion.  Holidays are often accompanied by a parade--Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years and Fourth of July come to mind.  In small town USA, which I have called home for most of my life, the Shriners (Grown men and their grown up toys) almost always came to participate.  There were always bands, floats, dignitaries, beauty queens, and of course police cars and firetrucks  At the tail end of those parades were the horses and their riders (they had to go last due to the hazardous waste left behind them.)  It was a joyous party in celebration of a special day.

I have heard the entrance of the wedding attendants during that special occasion called a parade~  especially when the bride has a lot of friends.  My own daughter's wedding had a parade--she did not want to leave anyone out.  There are school parades--my grands have a story book character parade at their school every year.  When we think parades~ we think of fun and joy filled days ~ usually.

There are solemn parades too.  The memory of watching President Kennedy's funeral cortege is engraved in my memory bank.  Only recently the people of England watched their beloved queen pulled through the streets on a dignified carriage--as they made their way to her dignified service of remembrance.  Even us commoners can also choose to have a parade on the way to the cemetery.  We call it a funeral procession.  The cars behind the hearse have loved ones -family and friends--who are saying their final good bye in honor of the one deceased.

This Sunday will mark the day, in the liturgical calendar, we remember the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.  Boughs of palm were waved and placed before the coming King in celebration.  The people gathered along the path to catch a glimpse of the Promised Messiah.  This parade marked the beginning of the Holy Week--the days leading up to the Cross.  As can happen in  life---the days of celebration turned to sorrow in a very short time.

Pause and remember what we will celebrate Sunday.  Remember Jesus riding the donkey into the city with all the people surrounding Him elated at His presence.  Remember--though this was a joyous day--Jesus knew what was coming.  He knew the road before Him would soon turn painful and He would feel deserted and alone.  He would feel the pain before the celebration of joy.  Take a moment and be thankful for all that played out.

"The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast

 heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.

  So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, 

crying out,

'Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord,

even the King of Israel!'

And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written"

John 12:12-14