Palm Sunday

Why palms? What could palms possibly have to do with Jesus? Well in the Gospel of John chapter 12 verses 12-15 it talks about the people taking palm branches and going out to greet Jesus. So, you can see how the idea of using palm branches would become part of the beginning celebration of Holy Week. Celebrations of Palm Sunday can be trace back to the 8th century in Italy.

We begin our weekend liturgies with a procession of palms to commemorate the reading from John’s Gospel of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. We can look at this as a way of praying with our feet. We in our own way are entering into the spirit of our “Passover festival” which begins Holy Thursday night.

When we take the blessed palms home with us we place them by a crucifix or near a door to remind us of the journey we are on with Jesus. Other traditions for example in Austria, Bavaria and the Slavic countries farmers will walk through fields and farm buildings on Palm Sunday. “They pray and sing, while placing a sprig of the blessed palm in each pasture, as well as in the barn and stable.” This is believed to stave off weather disasters, diseases etc. and to ask for God’s blessings on the year. (1)

Our entire lives are a journey or procession to eternal life with God in heaven. So this year as you process into the church on Palm Sunday carrying your newly blessed palms remember that we are constantly on the move with Jesus and carry his love and word to everyone we meet on the journey to heaven.

(1 Camels, Carols, Crosses and Crowns: 23rd Publications, Kielly & Geraghty, 1996)