When Jesus triumphantly entered into Jerusalem riding on a young donkey, he was heralded as a hero. People lay palm branches on the ground beneath him.
This humble man stood for something. He was prepared to die for his convictions.
The landscape in Australia today is very different to the Jerusalem of Jesus’ time, and yet there are so many similarities. Many of those people who seek our protection have been persecuted, assaulted, given an unfair trial, and they have turned to us for shelter.
Over the years, Palm Sunday has become a time when we reflect on the rights of refugees, and call upon our Government to act with the same courage and compassion that Jesus demonstrated so long ago.
The Uniting Church in Australia has since its inception spoken out about justice and the rights of refugees and people seeking asylum. Palm Sunday is time to walk that talk.
It is a time when Christians can march alongside people of all faiths and no faith with the common purpose of compassion for others and passion for justice.
I encourage all Uniting Church members to join a Palm Sunday service and a march for justice in their local area.
Please see the Australian Refugee Action Network Facebook page for details of marches around the country.
