"The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road"
What is Palm Sunday? It is the Sunday before Easter and the sixth and last Sunday of Lent, as well as the beginning of Holy Week. In the liturgy the memorial of this event is included in every Mass, with the procession or solemn entrance before the principal Mass, and with the simple procession before the other Masses on Palm Sunday. [1]
Why do we celebrate Palm Sunday? We celebrate this day as Palm Sunday because we recognize Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey, and the great multitudes of people laying palm branches before him. [2]
Why do we use Palms? A palm is a symbol of victory. When the people laid palms in front of Jesus, they shouted “Hosannah!” which means to praise and adore someone. It also means “save”. They are also a symbol of the ultimate victory Jesus would show us with His death on the cross, on Good Friday. It is also the emblem of many saints who suffered in the Roman persecutions. [3]
Why do we bless the Palms? Blessed palms are considered sacramentals. They are blessed and distributed to the faithful only on Palm Sunday. The oriental Date Palm is the most popular but any other twig or woody outgrowth is suitable. In the prayer of blessing, the priest says, “Almighty God, we pray you to bless these branches and make them holy.” [4]
As Saint Augustine wrote of the palms, “They are the emblem of praise, and sign of victory, because the Lord by death conquered death, and with the sign of victory, the cross, overcame the devil, the prince of death.” This is why we joyfully process into the Church behind the cross singing hymns of praise. In some liturgies, it is customary that when the people come to the church doors they find them locked. The priest knocks on the door with the cross. This is to show that Heaven was closed to us by the sin of Adam, and it is opened to us by the reconciliation through Jesus on the cross. [5] If we look at the Cross on a Rosary or necklace, many times it is the size of a small key. The door to heaven can only be unlocked by this key, a key that Jesus offers to all of us when He says, “whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” [6]
Why did Jesus go to Jerusalem? So all may be fulfilled, his triumphant entry, the Last Supper, his Passion, and death. Jesus recalls the martyrdom of the prophets who had been put to death in Jerusalem. [7] Three times he had announced his Passion and Resurrection before entering into Jerusalem. Now heading toward Jerusalem, Jesus says, “It cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem”(Lk 13:33). [8]
Why were there so many people cheering for Jesus? There were already a great number of people following Jesus. Many people were following him because of his miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. There were also many people going to, in and around Jerusalem because the feast of the Passover was near, and they were on pilgrimage. It was customary for the people to go out and greet the larger groups of pilgrims with songs and demonstrations of joy. [9]
Why did he ride on a donkey? Jesus personally chose to ride on a donkey into Jerusalem. People of importance had used donkeys as a form of travel in Palestine all the way back to the time of Balaam (Num 22:21). [10] It was also prophesied in the Book of Zechariah when he said, “See, your king shall come to you; a just savior is he, Meek, and riding on an ass, on a colt, the foal of an ass.” [11] As it was said in the Spiritual Reading the ass, is all of humanity, lost in sin. If a donkey is left alone, without someone to guide it, it will go no where (laziness) or it will satisfy its on pleasure (lust, greed, gluttony, etc). When the donkey is led, either by being directed by rope or ridden, it is one of the most productive animals on earth. Humanity is the same. When Christ does not direct us, we tend toward sin. However, when we allow Christ to direct us we fulfill our vocation, our purpose in life.
Why did Jesus allow them to praise Him when previously He had always tried to keep a low profile? The people acclaimed him in messianic fashion. Jesus accepts this homage because it is the common, everyday people who shout with joy of his coming. Even when the Pharisees tried to quiet the demonstrations, Jesus rebuked them saying, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” [12]
Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem was actually a simple affair. He makes do with a poor animal, celebrated by the lowly, the outcasts, and the gentiles of society. Jesus wants to triumphantly enter in our souls this day. We are but meek and lowly creatures, and Jesus wants us to shout with the joy of his coming glory. [13] Will we allow ourselves to lay our palms down before the Lord? Will we lay down our joys, desires, and everything else before him?
How should we participate in the procession and Mass of Palm Sunday?We should participate with pious intention of meeting Christ in spirit, and with heart-felt prayer to Jesus for His grace. Reminding ourselves that with Him we may be able to conquer the devil, the world, and the flesh in our lifetime. [14]
“Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem manifested the coming of the kingdom; the King-Messiah was going to accomplish by the Passover of his Death and Resurrection. It is with the celebration of that entry on Palm Sunday that the Church’s liturgy solemnly opens Holy Week.” [15]
[1] Catholic Dictionary pg. 400
[2] The Church’s Year pg. 208
[3] The Catholic Dictionary pg. 400
[4] Catholic Dictionary pg. 400
[5] The Church’s Year pgs. 208-209
[6] Mark 8:34
[7] CCC 558
[8] CCC 557
[9] In Conversation with God 2 40.1
[10] In Conversation with God 2 40.1
[11] Zach 9:9
[12] Luke 19:39
[13] In Conversation with God 2 40.1
[14] The Church’s Year pg. 211
[15] CCC 560