This is an odd interpretation. There is no conflict between Palm Sunday and the reading of the Passion according to St. Matthew at Divine Service that day. Indeed, the Passion reading is the historic Gospel for Palm Sunday, and the triumphal entry is part of the liturgy of the procession for the day as described in Lutheran Service Book: Altar Book. It has nothing to do with a “new lectionary” or the misguided liturgical innovations of the Roman Church in the 1960s.

I am saddened and shocked that Lutheran Witness published this. This is not helpful or edifying to the church. It introduces unnecessary confusion about the historic practice that our Synod has recovered and which we should encourage in our parishes. We need writings to support Lutheran worship, doctrine and practice.

Far more helpful would be a study of how the St. Matthew Passion is historic to the day, and why the 1941 Lutheran Hymnal – which is normally accurate on these matters – is mistaken in appointing “Matt. 21:1-9” as the “Gospel” for Palm Sunday.

Additionally, “Passion Sunday” is Judica, the fifth Sunday in Lent. It doesn’t have a Passion reading; rather, it is the beginning of Passiontide, the final two weeks of Lent, when the crucifixes are veiled and the Gloria Patri begins to be omitted. Perhaps another study could critique why the 1982 Lutheran Worship made the strange innovation of labeling Palm Sunday: “the Sunday of the Passion.”

Each of the Passion accounts from the Gospel books are read each year. Reading the Passion according to St. Matthew on Palm Sunday was not “introduced” because some people are lazy and won’t come on Good Friday (as I’ve heard said before!) Indeed, some people will miss Holy Week for whatever reason, but the liturgical year does not change based on who will or won’t be there. The St. Matthew Passion is read on Sunday; St. Mark on Tuesday; St. Luke on Wednesday; and St. John on Friday. And even if a parish neglects to celebrate Divine Service on these days, they can be read at Matins or Vespers.

The hymn makes the connection quite concisely: “Ride on, ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die.”