One of my favorite Sundays of the year is today–Passion Sunday, Palm Sunday. We read the Passion narrative and receive communion inside the church. Then we parade with palms and drums up to City Hall–about 2 blocks away. We gather there with up to ten other downtown churches and pray for our city. Each church prays for a different aspect of the city–its children, schools, workers, residents, businesses, government….We represent the races, ages, and Christian denominations of the people of Memphis.

Our city has problems, but it also has wonderful gifts. As we feed from all directions into the plaza in front of city hall, we wave our palms and say “Hosanna in the highest, blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.” We remind ourselves of God’s incarnation in the midst of a hurting city and a hurting world.

Sybil MacBeth ©2010