By Charly SHELTON

“[The people] took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, ‘Hosanna: Blessed [is] the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.’ And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, ‘Fear not, daughter of Zion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.’ These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and [that] they had done these things unto him.”
~ John 12:13-16

Palm Sunday is the day memorialized in Christianity when Jesus walked into Jerusalem and was known as the King of the Jews. He rode a donkey and the people who came out to see him laid down palm fronds in front of him as a sign of respect. The procession occurred about a week before his crucifixion and resurrection. In celebration of that day, St. George’s Episcopal Church in La Cañada is organizing a public procession titled “The Way of Our Cross” for next Sunday, March 20 at 12:30 p.m.

St. George’s has invited several of the local churches to join in the festivities when participants will walk from the front of the Lutheran Church in the Foothills, 1700 Foothill Blvd., and process down to St. George’s Church, 808 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada Flintridge. Those participating will follow the cross down Foothill making six stops along the way for a reading and questions based on six fundamental teachings of Jesus.

“The questions for reflection are all based on ‘How are you doing with following Jesus this year? How’s your Christianity going? Do you really love your neighbor? Do your find yourself gossiping or wanting revenge?’ So it’s kind of a self examination,” said the Rev. Amy Pringle of St. George’s.

At the end of the walk, participants will be given a list of the questions to take home and think about over the following week, Holy Week, which stretches between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.

Pringle said, “Walking along Foothill isn’t really going to allow for super-deep thinking and quiet contemplation so the procession is really more to get people in the mood for the questions. Then during Holy Week, on their own time, in their own way, people can actually take some time with those questions, especially picking one or two that might be really relevant for them.”

The event is organized by the Rev. Anthony Keller of St. George’s. He hopes that the time spent examining Jesus’ suggestions for daily living might enrich the lives of those participating in ways that enhance the daily living experience, perhaps in ways not yet discovered.

“Jesus’ teachings were rarely given as commandments,” Keller said, “but Jesus offered suggestions about how to live with one another in peace and with a sense of dignity for yourself and others.”

For those who wish to participate, it is asked that a palm frond be brought for the walk. It is also suggested to wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes.

For more information, contact the Rev. Keller at (818) 790-3323 or email office@saintglc.org.

  Charly Shelton