Being aware of and paying attention to the context around us and within us includes noting occasions in our history, as well as how our past could inform our today and its challenges. On this day that is marked as Palm Sunday by many of our neighboring faiths, Rev. Maddie considers the story of Jesus of Nazareth as he entered Jerusalem on a donkey. What makes some of us squirm in the pews when we consider the Christian story, while others of us say Hallelujah? How does this story inform our challenging times?

Maddie Sifantus retired in July, 2024 as. full-time settled minister of the Universalist Unitarian Church of Santa Paula, California where she is now Minister Emerita.