Today is Palm Sunday.
For Christians, it recalls Jesus's entry into Jerusalem.
He rode a donkey, indicating great humility and peace.
People who lined both sides of the street, on that day, honored him by waving palms.
While it was a triumphant day, it also was to signify the beginning of Holy Week.
Christians know the horror and sorrow of Christ's passion that was to follow, His brutal death on a cross, and then, in glory and supreme happiness, His rising from the dead after three days.
This is a very significant week for Christians.
It moves them from tears and heartbreak to hearts filled with joy, relief, and deep contentment.
Palms are distributed in churches throughout the world.
Many people fashion them into little crosses which can be brought home.
Jesus, the King of Kings, is an example of kindness, humility, peace, perseverance, and immense, never ending love.
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH PALM SUNDAY?
Of course, but unfortunately I was not able to go to mass in our new church this morning. The Palm Sunday Mass celebrated in our churches today has two special rites: the first is a procession with blessed palm and olive branches, which commemorates Jesus' glorious entry into Jerusalem, and the second is a complete account of Jesus' passion. These rites express the main forms of the Paschal mystery: Jesus' painful death and Easter victory. The blessing of the branches is an integral part of the ritual of today's worship in our church. Carrying the branches in our hands, we celebrate the memory of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, and we keep the blessed branches as a sacred sign, praying for protection from various evils and to remind us of the celebration of Passion Sunday, the celebration of our faith in Christ. According to our Croatian folk custom, this day is marked by the use of various spring plants: branches of dogwood, willow, hazel, violet and ivy (in continental Croatia) and olive and palm branches (in coastal Croatia).
ReplyDeleteWell, you know I'm familiar with Palm Sunday. And I've always loved those palms given to us at Mass. I remember one that Jess made into the shape of a rose. I still have it. I like what you wrote about Palm Sunday, Susan. Have a blessed Holy Week ahead. : )
ReplyDeleteSang with the choir at Palm Sunday Mass. Brought home some palms to put behind various crosses that I have in bedrooms. This is the start of a very busy choir week with services Thursday and a Vigil on Saturday and 8 am Mass on Easter. I’m looking forward to all.
ReplyDeleteA holy day worldwide....except for the first time in decades, Israeli police, IDF refused church entry in Jerusalem to bishops, priests. Shameful, Bibi's government is now as hostile to Christians as they are to Muslims. The Italian government summoned the ambassador, when is the world going to say enough is enough?
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