PALM BRANCHES ON PALM SUNDAY

PALM BRANCHES ON PALM SUNDAY

Palm branches are a part of our liturgy on Palm Sunday. This event commemorates Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, as foretold by the prophet Zechariah. The Bible tells us people cut branches from palm trees, laid them across Jesus’ path and waved them in the air. They greeted Jesus not as the spiritual Messiah who would take away the sins of the world, but as a potential political leader who would overthrow the Romans. They shouted “Hosanna [meaning “save now”], blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” All four Gospels include the Triumphal Entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. In ancient times, palm branches symbolized goodness, well-being, and victory. They were often depicted on coins and important buildings. King Solomon had palm branches carved into the walls and doors of the temple: “On the walls all around the temple, in both the inner and outer rooms, he carved cherubim, palm trees and open flowers.” (1 Kings 6:29) Psalms 92:12 says that “the righteous shall flourish like the palm tree.” At the end of the Bible, again people from every nation raised palm branches to honor Jesus: “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” (Revelation 7:9) We distribute palm branches on Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, a solemn week focusing on the final days of Jesus Christ’s life. On Palm Sunday, we remember Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross, praise him for the gift of salvation, and look expectantly to his second coming. God Bless!                                                                                                 Father Maria Joseph Kodiganti