03/29/2026
Holy Week 2026: Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday, celebrating Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, is detailed in all four Gospels (Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19). Key scriptures describe Jesus riding a c**t (or donkey) while crowds spread cloaks and branches, shouting "Hosanna!" and fulfilling Zechariah 9:9 by arriving as a humble, righteous king.
The primary liturgical color for Palm Sunday is red, symbolizing the blood of Christ's Passion, which begins with his entry into Jerusalem. It represents the sacrificial love of Jesus as the road of palms leads to the Cross, marking a shift from the penitential purple of Lent to the intense red of Holy Week.
Q: What’s so special about a donkey?
A: Donkeys are highly intelligent, social animals with a strong sense of self-preservation, often forming lifelong bonds with partners. Known for their immense strength and 95% digestive efficiency, they are not stubborn but cautious, often stopping to assess danger. They can live over 50 years, communicate with braying that carries 60 miles in the desert, and possess excellent hearing.
Braying is the loud, characteristic "hee-haw" sound made by a donkey or mule. This vocalization is unique among equines because donkeys can produce sound while both inhaling (the "hee") and exhaling (the "haw").
Bible fun fact: The word donkey appears over 130 times in the Old Testament and roughly 7 times in the New Testament.
I didn’t know that: Donkeys possess excellent hearing.
Challenge for Holy Week: Listen more. Talk less. Press pause.
Recent studies indicate that men and women speak roughly the same number of words per day, with averages often falling around 12,000 to 16,000, contradicting the popular myth that women speak 20,000 and men 7,000.
The Three-Minute Pause: Find a quiet space, silence your phone, and take several deep breaths.
* Minute 1: Offer a prayer of gratitude to center yourself.
* Minute 2: Ask a simple question like, "Lord, what do You want me to know about You?" or "How are You catching my attention today?".
* Minute 3: Remain in silent stillness, waiting for a word, scripture, or impression.
Go ahead: Set your phone on a timer.
🎶🎤All glory, laud, and honor,
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.🎶🎤
