Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 & Matthew 21:1-11
How do you pray in the time of the coronavirus? Palm Sunday’s reading shows us both a request for and the presentation of salvation. In Jesus’ time the salvation people sought was from Roman oppression. In our time the novel coronavirus has a lot of people seeking salvation. 
The cries of the crowd teach us the language of this salvation, "Hosanna in the highest”, translates to "Lord save us into the highest place, save in the highest way, save us through the highest power." 
That prayer for salvation is the prayer that comes from Scripture itself. Psalm 118  teaches us what to pray; “Open for me the gates of righteousness.” It teaches us how to respond; “I will give you thanks! It teaches why we should make the request for salvation; “You have become my salvation.” 
The salvation that God provides is not what you would imagine. Salvation on Palm Sunday was Jesus riding into town on a donkey. It reminds us who it is that saves us, a gentle and humble king. He is the king who stretches our perspective to pray and seek the highest. The remarkable thing is that the Father answers us in the Highest, Supreme, Son of God! 
Furthermore, even though the people didn’t know what they were praying, God heard and answered in a greater way than expected. For saving us meant the death of the humble king. 
When you are struggling with suffering, (Coronavirus) or anything else, it is the unexpected gentle king, riding on a donkey, and destined for the cross, he is the one you want to come to your rescue. The cries, “Hosanna in the highest" is met with love that endures forever.