{"id":144251,"date":"2026-03-30T12:08:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T16:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kendallharmon.net\/?p=144251"},"modified":"2026-03-30T18:10:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T22:10:45","slug":"eleanor-parker-aelfrics-sermon-for-palm-sunday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kendallharmon.net\/?p=144251","title":{"rendered":"(Eleanor Parker) \u00c6lfric’s Sermon for Palm Sunday"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

The master of the asses asked them why they untied his asses, and in the same way the chief men of every people perversely opposed the preaching of God. But when they saw that the preachers, through God\u2019s power, healed the lame and the blind, and gave speech to the dumb, and raised the dead to life, then they could not withstand those miracles, but all at last turned to God. Christ\u2019s disciples said, \u201cThe Lord needs the asses, and sends for them.\u201d They did not say \u2018our Lord\u2019, or \u2018your Lord\u2019, but simply, \u2018the Lord\u2019; for Christ is Lord of all lords, both of men and of all creatures. They said, \u201cHe sends for them.\u201d We are exhorted and invited to God\u2019s kingdom, but we are not forced. When we are invited, we are untied; and when we are left to our own choice, then is it as though we are sent for. It is God\u2019s mercy that we are untied; but if we live rightly, that will be both God\u2019s grace and our own zeal. We should constantly pray for the Lord\u2019s help, since our own choices have no success unless they are supported by the Almighty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christ did not command them to lead to him a proud steed adorned with golden trappings; instead he chose a poor ass to bear him, because he always taught humility, and gave the example himself, saying \u201cLearn from me, for I am meek and very humble, and you shall find rest for your souls.\u201d This was prophesied of Christ, and so were all the things which he did before he was born as man\u2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>

'It is the custom in God's church, established by its teachers, that everywhere the priest should bless palm-branches on this day, and distribute them, thus blessed, to the people.'

An Anglo-Saxon sermon for Palm Sunday ('Palmsunnand\u00e6g' in Old English): https:\/\/t.co\/h4hm9Y5pdw<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/jZ3mdTx73l<\/a><\/p>— Eleanor Parker (@ClerkofOxford) March 29, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>