by Trevor Sannes and Terri Fishel
Palm Sunday has always been a public story—a moment when Jesus entered the heart of the city not with force, but with humility and courage. As Minnesota community organizing group ISAIAH describes it:
Jews in the time of Jesus would have known that there was always a procession in Jerusalem at the beginning of Passover. The Roman occupiers knew that there was the potential for trouble among the people when the people were celebrating their freedom festival. They processed into Jerusalem every Passover with a show of military might to say to the people, “don’t mess with us.” Jesus’ procession into Jerusalem on the day we celebrate as Palm Sunday, on a donkey, with a crowd shouting “hosanna!” is Jesus messing with them.
Right now, in our country, some public voices are using what they call “Christianity” as a tool for division, power, and control. But on March 29—Palm Sunday—Christians across the nation will step into the streets to reclaim a faith rooted not in fear, but in love, compassion, and justice.
The Twin Cities Palm Sunday Faith Action will be the flagship of a nationwide movement — 25 actions across 14 states — leading a bold Christian public action standing up against authoritarianism and white Christian nationalism. The goal for the march on Palm Sunday is to reclaim what true Christianity is and emphasize that to be a Christian is to choose love: that the core of our faith is to love our neighbors, feed the hungry, and care for the poor.
These are the very values that shape us at St. John the Evangelist. This is who we are. Joining this march is our way of saying that faith is not a weapon. Faith is not a tool for domination. Faith is love in action.
Here at St. John’s, we strive to welcome all who seek a deeper and more meaningful life in a community of faith. Participating in this Palm Sunday Faith Action is a powerful way to live out our “Church of the Open Door” identity. It is a chance to stand alongside our neighbors and show, with our presence, that the Gospel still calls us toward justice, mercy, and transformation.
The march begins at 1:30pm on Palm Sunday and goes to the Capitol lawn, where a gathering will be held from 2:30-4:30pm. Click here to see all the details. We would like to have a strong presentation from St. John’s. Please contact Trevor Sannes if you have questions or you’re interested in participating.
Let’s walk this path together—publicly, joyfully, and courageously—just as Jesus did.