Sixth Sunday of Lent: Palm Sunday

6 Lent: Palm Sunday

Prayer (Form One):
Merciful Father, as the people of Jerusalem, with palms in hand, rejoiced to greet your Son when he entered his holy city, inspire us by your Spirit to recognize him as our Messiah and King and to look forward to his return in glory. We ask this through your Son Christ Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer (Form Two):
Merciful Father, your eternal Son took upon himself our human nature, obediently accepted your will, proclaimed with his own blood the forgiveness of sins and eternal life, and was exalted unto glory through the triumph of the cross. By the power of your Spirit, strengthen us to follow the way of the cross and faithfully to proclaim the exalted name of your Son, Christ Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Corpus of Lectionary Citations:

Torah or History:
2 Chronicles 24:17-22
Psalm 22 :1-24

Wisdom:
Psalm 118:15-21

Prophets:
Isaiah 42:11-17; Isaiah 50:4-9; Isaiah 50:10--51:3; Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Zechariah 9:9-10

Deuterocanonical:
Wisdom 3:1-9

Apostolic Epistle:
Philippians 4:4-9; Philippians 2:5-11

Apostolic Account:
Acts 9:51-60; Revelation 20:4-6

Gospel:
Matthew 21:1-11; Matthew 26:1--27:66
Mark 11:1-11: Mark 14:1--15:47
John 12:12-16; Luke 21:34--23:56

Proposed Readings for the Divine Liturgy:

Form One: The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
[This form is used when the assembly is able to gather on both Palm Sunday and Good Friday.]

Year A (2008)
Zechariah 9:9-10 or Isaiah 50:10--51:3
Psalm 118:15-21
Philippians 4:4-9
Matthew 21:1-11

Year B (2006)
Zechariah 9:9-10 or Isaiah 50:10--51:3
Psalm 118:15-21
Philippians 4:4-9
Mark 11:1-11

Year C (2007)
Zechariah 9:9-10 or Isaiah 50:10--51:3
Psalm 118:15-21
Philippians 4:4-9
John 12:12-16

Form Two: The Passion of Our Lord
[This form is used when the assembly is unable to gather on Good Friday.]

Year A (2008) -- Year B (2006) -- Year C (2007)
Isaiah 42:11-17 -- Isaiah 50:4-9 -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Psalm 22:1-24 -- Psalm 22:1-24 -- Psalm 22:1-24
Philippians 2:5-11 -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Philippians 2:5-11

According the the following table the gospel readings are arranged as successive lections. Each portion of the gospel proclamation may be followed with a hymn, a blessing, or a brief homily, as indicated below. At the direction of the bishop, concelebrating presbyters may proclaim some of the gospel lections.

Matthew 21:1-11 -- Mark 11:1-11 -- Luke 19:29-40
[A hymn may be sung, or palms may be blessed and distributed.]

Matthew 26:1-16 -- Mark 14:1-11 -- Luke 21:34-38
[A hymn may be sung, or the sacramental oils may be blessed.]

Matthew 26:17-29 -- Mark 14:12-31 -- Luke 22:1-23
[A eucharistic hymn may be sung, or a brief homily may be preached.]

Matthew 26:30-75 -- Mark 14:32-72 -- Luke 22:31-62
[A passion hymn may be sung, or a brief homily may be preached.]

Matthew 27:1-50 -- Mark 15:1-37 -- Luke 22:63--23:46
[The assembly shall kneel, observing a brief time of reflective silence.]

Matthew 27:51-66 -- Mark 15:38-47 -- Luke 23:47-56
[A hymn of victory may be sung, or a brief homily may be preached.]

The Nicene Creed is omitted. In the western rite the presiding minister may follow with the solemn intercessions of Good Friday. Before the prepartaion of the altar and gifts, the presiding minister may celebrate the rite of the washing of feet as prescribed in the Maundy (Holy) Thursday Liturgy of the Lord's Supper.

Post-Communion Prayer:
Father, we are grateful that your Spirit nourishes us through word and sacrament unto the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Lead us through our Lenten desert of repentance, conversion, and renewal unto the fullness of paschal joy. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.