HOSANA! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OFTHE LORD! THE KING OF ISRAEL!

Palm Sunday is a major Catholic and Christian Church Day which commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. It marks the beginning of Holy Week and the beginning of the final week of Lent.

Palm Sunday is celebrated the Sunday before Easter. It symbolizes both the welcome of Jesus as King and His journey toward the crucifixion.

Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, while the crowds laid down palm branches and cloaks. At the same time shouting “Hosanna.”

The donkey highlighted Jesus’ humility and told the crowds in effect He was a peaceful Messiah. The palm branches the crowd’s respect for Jesus. Jesus waved palm branches in return to signify His respect for the people.

The entry of Jesus was triumphant. The Bible in Matthew 21:8 speaks of the crowd laying palm branches and cloaks before Jesu as a mark honoring Jesus.

Amazing! In less than a week Jesus would be arrested, beaten and crucified.

As the years passed, Palm Sunday turned different in two respects.

For some reason, palms became expensive for a Church to purchase. Many branches given became one. A few years later, my Church required a donation for the one.

As I grew from 3 to my 40s, I noticed the house visits to exchange palms became significantly less. Only family and very close friends continued to exchange. Tiny well made palm crosses were no more. We apparently knew no one with the talent.

The next significant day in Holy Week is Holy Thursday. This coming Thursday. I guarantee a most interesting blog based on a personal experience involving that day. Definitely read this coming Thursday’s blog.

Enjoy your day!