Finding new songs and new ways of celebrating the events running up to Easter Sunday was a part of parish ministry that I really enjoyed. A number of years ago I came across Hosanna Rock, which became a firm favourite for our school assemblies and Messy Church gatherings. It has a catchy tune and simple actions - perfect.
I wonder what tune Psalm 118 was originally sung to. It is the backing track to Palm Sunday and where the word hosanna originates from. Verse 25 begins with the Hebrew phrase hoshiya na, which means "save, please!". It was a cry to God for help. The psalm continues - "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord". The cry for help is answered straightaway. Over time hosanna became a shout of praise and exultation meaning, "salvation has come!".
As Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, the crowds welcome him with singing. But they don't really understand the fullness of salvation that Jesus is bringing or indeed how he will bring it. And as we all know, in the coming days, some of them will turn from shouting "hosanna" to shouting "crucify him" - a reminder of how fickle and faithless humanity can be.
Over the coming 10 days, we have an opportunity to reflect once more on how God answers our cry for help through Jesus' death and resurrection - the very heart of our faith. In music, prayers, scripture, monologues, poetry, sermons and images - some familiar, some new - we can explore what salvation really means for us.
To those leading worship in the coming season, may God grant you the creativity and energy you need to bring fresh insight to a familiar story. And may God enable all of us to be renewed in our faith as we follow Jesus to Jerusalem and watch with the disciples as the events of Holy Week unfold.
Rev Stella
