April 10th
"Not the revolutionary they expected."
When Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, hopeful crowds filled the streets waving palm branches and praising God. But less than a week later, when it became clear that Jesus was not the revolutionary they expected, this same crowd demanded His crucifixion.
For Theodulf, whom King Charlemagne had made bishop of Orléans in the late 700s, praise was born of painful circumstances. After Charlemagne's death, Theodulf was exiled to Angers, France, on charges of conspiracy. In the dark prison at Angers, Theodulf apparently wrote the text of this hymn, which became the great Palm Sunday processional of the Western church, a celebration of God's grace sung by millions through the centuries.
He was in the center of the procession, and the crowds all around him were shouting, "Praise God! Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Bless the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Praise God in highest heaven!"
Mark 11:9-10
All glory, laud, and honor to Thee, Redeemer, King, to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring; Thou art the King of Israel, Thou David's royal Son, who in the Lord's name comest, the King and blessed One!
To Thee, before Thy passion, they sang their hymns of praise; to Thee, now high exalted, our melody we raise: Thou didst accept their praises—accept the praise we bring, who in all good delightest, Thou good and gracious King!
All Glory, Laud and Honor ~ Theodulf of Orléans ( c. 750-821 )
Heaven
