Join Isaiah’s Palm Sunday Actions
Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash
Shared with permission by Trista Soendker Nicholson and Philips Theological Seminary’s Center for Religion in Public Life.
During the season of Lent we join with Christians around the world as we open ourselves to practices and disciplines that align us more fully with Christ. Like many, I found myself returning to the story of Jesus in the wilderness, and his forty days of fasting and temptation. One of the temptations that is laid before him is the power to rule over all of the kingdoms of the world. Resisting this temptation, he instead returns to call others to see that God’s kingdom has come near. The light has come in the midst of the darkness, and Jesus invites others to embrace the light of his kingdom.
As Christ’s ministry unfolds, he reveals what his kingdom looks like. Remember the metaphor of the mustard seed that offers insight into God’s kingdom: From a mustard seed comes a tree large enough to protect all of the birds. Where yeast expands so that there is more than enough bread for all. A kingdom where something that was lost is found and celebrated.
Another way we can understand Christ’s kingdom can be seen in the events of his entry into Jerusalem. As Matthew‘s gospel shares the story, Jesus enters on a donkey, with people spreading their cloaks and branches crying “Hosanna!” — Lord, save us. Following this entry into the city, he makes his way to the Temple to drive out those who were using their positions of power as a means to inflict injustices upon those coming to worship God. This demonstration reinforces that Christ’s kingdom is about justice, reconciliation and protecting the vulnerable.
On this upcoming Palm Sunday, disciples of Christ have the opportunity to follow his example as we stand against injustice and oppression today. Isaiah, a group long known for empowering those who are vulnerable to the political powers of this world, is calling for faith communities around the country to join them on the Palm Sunday Faith Actions.
Isaiah invites faith communities from around the country to join them in celebrating Palm Sunday by following Christ’s example. Their invitation states, “on Palm Sunday, March 29th 2026, Christians across the country will stand up to the rise of authoritarianism and white Christian nationalism. We will stand against the politics of greed, cruelty, and oppression by continuing to show the country that our central commandments, to love God and love our neighbors, is our way forward.”
Visit their website to find ways you can be involved in your context, or work with your faith community to engage in actions that show our commitment to loving God and loving neighbor. Let us follow in the ways of Christ as we walk in his ways, standing up for the vulnerable, resisting injustice and engaging in actions that promote reconciliation.
