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Yeehaw! We have ourselves a king! Finally, a king that will deliver us from corruption, racial profiling, deficit spending, and human rights abuses. Finally, someone that understands the common man and common woman – and dares to call them his friends. Fare thee well out of control Roman politicians and religious zealots.

April Fool! It’s a joke don’t you know. Palm Sunday couldn’t happen on a more appropriate day. The big parade and electricity in the air had them going for awhile. The rumors were true. The new king was entering Jerusalem. And then… within days another rumor began going around. It had all been a cruel April Fool’s Day joke.

But wait. Let’s not leave the party too soon.
We have all seen it or maybe have even been part of the contagious excitement  - the parades, the victory celebrations, the adrenalin high. Think political candidates, sports stars, entertainment sensations. (Ministers! Maybe not. Then again, popes can draw a crowd.) Ho-sanna! Hey-sanna! Sanna sanna ho! Hey JC, JC, won’t you fight for me?
Sanna ho sanna hey Superstar! 

It feels good to feel good. Oftentimes the reason for the euphoria has been long in coming which makes the victory ever sweeter. Life needs these moments. We need parties and parades. We also need a person to rally ‘round, someone who rises up from the crowd; A leader with energy, vision and humility that says, follow me. We need to thrust our fists into the air in jubilation; sometimes we need a break from protests.

We could use more celebrations. Life and our society can be so serious. In Guatemala and I am sure in numerous places, any excuse for a party will do. Set off the firecrackers. Drive down the crowded city street honking your horn. Pull together a marimba band. What’s going on? I don’t know. But let’s go join the party!
It’s a way to cope with an otherwise depressing situation - poverty, violence, and centuries of discrimination.

There are other scenarios of bliss. A filled concert hall and you are on stage. Standing in line waiting to receive that piece of paper called a diploma. Sitting at a campfire warm and dry. Pulling off the car lot in that dream car. Noticeably not hurting when you walk up the stairs. Ah, it doesn’t get any better than this…
Something came true that you never thought would or maybe could.

Then Jesus began talking about commitment and that following him meant leaving family and job security. Jesus dared suggest that all people are worth loving and that no one was to be excluded. Jesus expected people to change, no matter how dangerous it was or seemed. Jesus began talking about the cross.

What do you mean a person has to practice before they fill the concert hall? What do you mean a person must study and attend class in order to learn and to graduate? What do you mean a person has to hike rather than get flown in? What do you mean I have to give up something else if I get this car? What do you mean I have to endure physical therapy for thirteen excruciating weeks?

What do you mean the authorities have arrested Jesus? What about our peaceful revolution that was going to distribute justice to all people? What about our turn to feel hopeful and empowered?

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